(Picture Credit: Aaron Horowitz / Getty Images)

Atlanta shelter urges adoptions after serious overcrowding

(Picture Credit: Camille Tokerud / Getty Images)

LifeLine Animal Project in Atlanta is urging people to consider adoption as their facilities are becoming seriously overcrowded with over 400 dogs looking for new homes, FOX 5 Atlanta reports

“Atlanta, we are at yet another critical moment as we head into this weekend with severely crowded shelters,” posted a member of staff to the Fulton County Animal Services’ Facebook page. “Our teams are struggling, and we believe the dogs deserve so much more than can be provided in these overcrowded environments.”

432 dogs looking for forever homes

Between the Fulton County Animal Shelter and overflow facility LifeLine Midtown Shelter, 432 dogs are looking for homes. And, the number is becoming difficult to cope with. 

“Our Fulton County shelter alone only comfortably houses about 150 dogs, but currently holds two times that,” the post explained. “Operating at this capacity is detrimental to the health and well-being of the animals, as well as the staff who care for them.”

At least 200 dogs will need to find new homes over the next couple of weeks. Otherwise, staff will need to euthanize dogs to make room for new animals who need a home. 

“Please come this weekend to adopt or foster a pet,” the post continued. “We need everyone with the capacity to care for a new pet to help get these deserving animals into homes where they belong.”

The adoption process

If you’d like to learn more about the adoption process, or the dogs looking for their forever homes, you can take a look on the Fulton County Animal Services website, here. It costs $85 to adopt a dog or $40 if you’d like to adopt one over the age of five. Prior to adoption, staff spay or neuter, microchip, and vaccinate all dogs. They also test them for heartworms. And, they give them both flea/tick prevention and a dewormer at no extra cost to the new owner.

Simply browse their pets, and submit an adoption inquiry. Then, meet the pet, decide whether you’re all good matches for each other, and then finally finalize the adoption! To adopt, you must be at least 18 years old and provide a government-issued photo ID. You must also complete a preliminary questionnaire, and meet with an adoption counselor.

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