Animal shelter taking in 'incredibly large number' of cats, dogs

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Dekalb's animal shelter said its seeing a huge spike in animals.

The LifeLine Animal Project runs DeKalb’s shelter, where they're struggling to keep up with so many animals.

The shelter said they're seeing a spike from a number of possible reasons.

"Atlanta has a big pet overpopulation problem,” said LifeLine’s Karen Hirsch.

And that problem is showing up more and more at the new DeKalb animal shelter in Chamblee.

“We are taking in over 700 animals a month on average,” Hirsch said. “So that's an incredibly large number.”

That amounts to 400 more stray, lost, abandoned and abused cats and dogs between July and November, compared to last year.

Workers said the increase may be due to the shelter itself: A nice, safe environment that people know is moving toward no kill.

But the shelter said the biggest reason is a change of pet rules at many area apartment complexes.

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“What I would most attribute it to is the breed specific legislation that's happening. It's happening all over Atlanta, and all over the country,” said DeKalb Animal Shelter’s Katie Corbett. “Landlords that won't let them keep pit bull type dogs.”

Another factor could be that the shelter said not enough people are spaying and neutering their pets.

To find these animals a home, and make more room the shelter is now giving away cats and dogs with free adoptions.

“You know, Dekalb County passed a no-kill resolution,” Hirsch said. “Now it's time for the community to really step up.  Instead of going and purchasing a pet, if you're ready to get a pet, stop by here, just look around. Meet some of the animals, you might surprise yourself and fall in love.”

LifeLine said they raised millions of dollars to cover the cost of giving away animals. They've held several free adoption events recently, with another one happening this weekend.

Cox Media Group