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ATLANTA, Ga. — There is no place like home for the holidays, and local animal shelter staff are working to find forever homes for their shelter animals.

There are over a thousand animals in the shelters or being fostered in Dekalb and Fulton counties, looking for forever homes. These shelters include the Fulton County Animal Services, Dekalb County Animal Services and the LifeLine Community Animal Center.

Karen Hirsch, public relations director for LifeLine Animal Project, says adoption rates have actually been high this year and she suspects that is due in part to the global coronavirus pandemic.

“People who are stuck at home want a pet,” Hirsch said. “We are happy about that!”

Those interested in adopting do not need to make an appointment with the shelter, but it is preferred.

Foster families have helped keep the shelters from overfilling, and Hirsch explained that they are looking to expand the foster program because a lot of animals do better in homes rather than shelters. Those interested in fostering animals can apply online at www.fultonanimalservices.com or www.dekalbanimalservices.com. Foster families are only required to provide a home and love for the animals. The shelters cover food, vet care and other expenses.

While they have seen many animals go home with happy families, Hirsch said the pandemic has also brought on an increase in need.

The shelters are part of a nationwide community outreach program called Human Animal Support Services, or HASS. The program has allowed for shelters to help those struggling in these times with food for animals, free vet care and around 30 free spays and neuters a week.

HASS has been part of the shelter’s mission for a few years now, but with the increase in demand during the pandemic, they have added a case manager to each shelter.

“We feel like people should be able to keep their pets when they’ve fallen on hard times,” Hirsch said. “For some people, their pets are their only family, and having to give them up because they’ve been laid off is just unfathomable.” 

Money for these programs is raised through grants from organizations like the Petco Foundation and individual donors through the shelters’ Stay Together Fund. Hirsch said shelters are always looking for donations of money, supplies such as blankets or sheets to help keep the animals warm and comfortable or toys to help entertain them.

LifeLine Animal Project has volunteer opportunities throughout the month, including a Straws for Paws event to supply free dog houses and wheat straw to under-resourced communities in Atlanta so that the dogs can have proper shelter from the elements. Hirsch recommends that those interested email community@lifelineanimal.org

Another project is a feral cat shelter build where volunteers can build or supply items to build shelters for feral cats in the Atlanta area. Those interested can email communitycats@lifelineanimal.org for instructions or donation lists.

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