Animal shelters severely overloaded with pets in need of adoption

ATLANTA — Metro Atlanta will receive rescued pets from Louisiana at a time when shelters are already overcrowded.

But workers are now making a plea for families to step up and adopt.

Two Atlanta shelters are filled beyond capacity.

"We just don't have enough space for all of these animals," said Karen Hirsch with Fulton County Animal Services.

Hirsch told Channel 2’s Nefertiti Jaquez that things are so out of control they have 1,000 animals that need to be adopted between their Atlanta and DeKalb locations.

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"We have hit the no-kill threshold, and we need the community to step up and please help us to save all of these animals," Hirsch said.

She said part of the reason for the influx is that summer is prime for mating, so litters of kittens and puppies are being delivered to the shelters on a routine basis.

And then you have the abused animals seized from homes and the abandoned dogs picked up from city streets.

"We are doing everything we can to get them adopted," Hirsch said.%

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Chad Lawson couldn't agree more. While touring the shelter he found a dog to take home with him.

Within seconds, he adopted the honey-colored lab mix he named Jack.

"Just look at him, he's kind (of) perfect," Lawson said.

While Jack now has a home, there are many more furry friends who are still waiting for a loving family to adopt them.

If you are interested in making an adoption, you can reach

at 404-613-0358.

You can also email them about adopting or fostering a pet at Adoptions@fultonanimalservices.com or Foster@fultonanimalservices.com.

Fulton and DeKalb County Animal Services shelters are run by LifeLine Animal Project, and for more info on any specials they can go to LifeLineAnimal.org.

Cox Media Group