At least 150 dogs at risk for euthanasia as DeKalb shelter deals with extreme overcrowding

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The LifeLine Animal Project is asking the public to consider adopting a furry friend this week due to extreme shelter overcrowding in DeKalb County.

LifeLine said 150 dogs need to find homes in the next seven days, or they will have to be euthanized due to the lack of space in the shelter.

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As of Tuesday, officials said there were 593 dogs at the DeKalb County shelter.

“We are heartbroken that we are out of options to ensure the well-being and safety of the dogs, staff, and volunteers,” LifeLine wrote on Facebook. “We are at a point in DeKalb where we have no room to humanely house the dogs, nor space for incoming pets in need.”

Lane Johnson says they’ve been overcrowded and over capacity for the last year and are now at a critical stage and must find homes for at least 150 dogs by the end of the month.

“We definitely cannot continue to house and take care of the animals in the way that we want to, so we need to find placement options for them,” Johnson said.

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The shelter says, it’s something they have never done and don’t plan on euthanizing 150 dogs. They’re doing everything to find them homes, but they are out of space and out of options.

“Even just fostering, that helps so much…not understand(ing) how much that saves an animal’s life,” Johnson said.

LifeLine said the shelter requires the following:

• Adopters and foster homes, especially for medium to large-sized dogs
• Volunteer support for finding homes for each dog
• Staffing for animal care

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Adoptions are $23 in January at any LifeLine location, including their pop-up shelter in Midtown Atlanta.

Click here to learn how to adopt a furry friend or volunteer.

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