DeKalb CEO Thurmond announces $10M plan to decrease overcrowding at DeKalb Animal Shelter

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond today (Oct. 6) announced a $10 million comprehensive strategy to address overcrowding at DeKalb County Animal Services Center.

“Residents who lack the financial resources to properly care for their pets are fueling the overcrowding crisis at our animal shelter,” CEO Thurmond said.

Thurmond’s comprehensive strategy includes:

• reducing the number of pets released into the community or brought to the animal shelter
• help families keep pets in their homes, and
• encourage the spaying and neutering of pets.

In September, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved CEO Thurmond proposal allocate the following:

• $200,000 to establish grant pilot programs to encourage fostering of animals and to aid pet owners to feed and care for their pets.
• $144,000 for a mobile veterinary clinic to provide veterinary services to areas most in need.
• $223,000 to purchase cages and an upgraded camera system for the animal shelter.
• $25,000 for community outreach related to expansion of the animal shelter.
• $600,000 for the LifeLine Animal Project to increase the contract to attract and retain more staffing.
• $1.6 million for an overflow facility for the animal shelter.

Thurmond’s strategy also includes a $7.5 million proposed allocation to be funded by a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) subject to voter approval in November.