$10 Million: Is This The Solution To DeKalb County Shelter's Overcrowding Crisis

Do you know that the DeKalb County Animal Shelter has nearly 600 dogs who are grappling with overcrowding?

Parker Bock, a visitor who had sadly lost his beloved pet, visited the shelter on Monday in search of a new furry friend. As he gazed around the shelter, he was taken aback by the overwhelming overcrowding. And the sight left him speechless.

In a poignant moment, he confessed, "I know how many dogs are here, unfortunately, and I'd love to save them all if I really could."

But Parker isn't alone in worrying. Andrea Seidl, a dedicated shelter volunteer and leader of Advocates for DeKalb animals, expressed her concerns about the shelter's capacity.

"They're managing it now at an absolute, absolute maximum of approximately 600 dogs," she reveals.

To accommodate this overwhelming number, every available space has been repurposed, including rooms originally meant for quiet bonding time with the animals, which now house additional kennels.

Seidl's group, Advocates for DeKalb Animals, has been actively advocating for a solution since June. They've tirelessly pressed DeKalb County leaders to take meaningful action.

"We got involved in a big way. We did email campaigns and letter-writing campaigns. We showed up in force at meetings," she said.

Finally, their efforts paid off.

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond (@dekalblikesmike) responded to the pleas of advocates and announced a $10 million plan to address the overcrowding issue. This plan was swiftly approved by the County Commission in September.

One of the crucial components of the plan is the allocation of $1.6 million for an overflow facility, a temporary haven designed at the shelter to prevent any need for euthanasia due to overcrowding.

"From what I understand, it's going to be sort of a modular facility. It is literally intended to be temporary so that we can manage the dogs we have without having to euthanize at the rate that we're euthanizing now," Seidl said.

Additionally, the plan includes $200,000 in aid for pet owners facing financial hardships, ensuring that no pets are surrendered due to economic struggles, and $140,000 for a mobile veterinary clinic that will offer free care to underserved areas.

While this initial $10 million investment is a positive step, advocates like Andrea Seidl believe that there is still much work to be done.

"It's a good start," she says, "but there's lots of work to be done... they either need a second facility or they need to expand this facility."

As per a statement for Thurmond, the plan involves $7.5 million that would come from a special local tax (SPLOST) and will be decided upon by DeKalb voters next month.

With a $10 million investment and the steadfast commitment of advocates like Andrea Seidl, the DeKalb County Animal Shelter is on the path to a brighter future, where every dog can find a loving forever home.