Metro Atlanta animal shelter overcrowded, here’s how you can help ‘Empty the Shelter’

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Animal shelters across the county are in a crisis.

“Adoptions have slowed significantly; it could be because of the housing and rental crisis and Inflation across the county and pets in shelters are just staying longer,” Brittany Schlacter of the Bissell Pet Foundation said.

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Paws Atlanta shelter manager Laura Mckelvey told Channel 2 Action News they’re constantly staying full.

“The worst part about that is our county shelters are really struggling, so Dekalb, as everyone knows at this point, has really needed a lot of help, Fulton needs a lot of help, but we haven’t been able to help them because our shelter is also full,” Mckelvey said.

To help with overcrowding, Bissell Pet Foundation is hosting its longest-ever summer national “Empty the Shelters” adoption event from July 11 until July 31. The event reduces adoption fees at shelters from zero to $25 per animal.

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“We’ve helped more than 96,000 pets find loving homes,” Schlacter said.

Two hundred and eighty shelters in 42 states are participating, including seven shelters here in Georgia. Mckelvey says Paws Atlanta in Decatur has already seen an increase in applications to adopt.

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“Every time we do the empty the shelter event, we find that we’re able to double our adoptions or we’re able to get long terms out,” Mckelvey said. “It’s just a positive event.”

If you cannot adopt a dog right now, you can help local shelters by volunteering or fostering a pet.

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