After several complaints from animal advocates, volunteers, and employees at DeKalb Animal Services regarding animal overcrowding, last year, I visited the shelter to see for myself just how bad the situation was. I saw firsthand how many dogs and cats were living in cramped spaces and how easily agitated some of the dogs were. Moreover, I saw how overwhelmed the workers were in trying to manage the animals and in maintaining the operations of the facility.

Unlike other municipalities with animal overcrowding, DeKalb’s problem seems to be, in large part, due to the courts. In municipalities like Gwinnett County, owners who are cited for animal violations and are no-shows to court 1-2 times, essentially lose custody of their animals. The cases are disposed, and the animals are then put up for adoption. In DeKalb, owners who are no-shows are allowed multiple continuances and the animals are kept in the shelter indefinitely. During my visit, there were approximately 100 animals held at the shelter under court-order. Interestingly, whenever animals are impounded off the street, owners have 5 days to claim animals, otherwise they are put up for adoption or euthanized.

It appears that some progress has been made in the courts, however, my office has been monitoring this situation with the County Attorneys to find some resolution with the courts. In the meantime, I expressed my concerns to the CEO and suggested that the County establish a temporary animal shelter to hold either court-ordered animals or to serve as a general overflow shelter.

In October 2023, the CEO announced an animal shelter expansion strategy that also included a $1.6 temporary overflow shelter which will be funded by SPLOST II. My hope is that the temporary shelter will be constructed this summer before the situation becomes more dire.