345 dogs find new homes, foster families in week since DeKalb shelter asked for help

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County animal shelter put out a call for help with overcrowding issues and the community came through in a big way.

Channel 2 Action News reported last week about the overcrowding problem at LifeLine Animal Project. The shelter says it has a capacity for 450 dogs. Last week, it had nearly 600.

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They asked for the community’s help to avoid having to euthanize at least 150 dogs. Hours before the end of Jan. 31 deadline, the shelter announced that 345 dogs found new homes and foster families within the past week.

“After a year of slow adoptions, packed kennels, and running out of all options, you answered our call in the 11th hour. We cannot thank you enough for saving the lives of each and every one of these dogs,” the shelter said. “We’re hopeful that in the weeks and months ahead, we can continue this lifesaving momentum and prevent the shelter from being stretched beyond its capacity to a point where we can’t support those that need us most.”

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Channel 2′s Bryan Mims reported live from the shelter Tuesday for Channel 2 Action News at 5 p.m.

Shelters across the country have reported a steep drop in adoptions. In DeKalb County, strays picked up by animal control come in -- and stay.

“We got wind that the shelter was full and there’s inherent problems when the shelter is full. They can only hold so many pets, and then they have to start making some tough choices,” said Dr. Andrew Empel, who owns the nearby Brookhaven Animal Hospital.

Empel is offering free vaccines and exams for pets adopted from the DeKalb shelter. And those dogs get a free, year-long membership to Fetch dog parks.

Founder Stephen Ochs describes them as a “dog-friendly social club.”

‘We’re in a space where we can actually help. And I really wanted to incentivize people not only to save a life, but find a new best friend.”

National Make A Dog’s Day encourages pet adoptions from shelters

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