Officials with LifeLine Animal Project, the nonprofit in charge of both DeKalb and Fulton counties’ animal services, have been vocal on social media about their struggles with overcrowding as well as a lack of volunteers, fosters and adopters for the hundreds of dogs and cats in their care.
“The overwhelming intake numbers of pets at LifeLine’s multiple facilities has led to overcrowding and euthanasia,” said LifeLine officials in October. “Euthanizing dogs for space is not a solution our organization believes in. We’re heartsick over having to make these horrific decisions. We are pleading for the community’s support to help us save lives so animals don’t have to continue to die.”
Though commissioners and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond have acknowledged that LifeLine has faced numerous challenges in the last three years, including multiple breakouts of dog flu, malfunctioning equipment and flooding, officials also said they are hearing more concerns from the community about the conditions of the facilities that LifeLine manages and operates.
At a Feb. 6 county operations meeting, a resolution requesting an external audit of animal services, managed by the Lifeline Animal Project, was passed. According to the resolution, the audit “will ensure adequate animal services are being carried out, including its operations, policies, and practices. The auditor will also identify strategies and recommendations for the improved flow of operations, sheltering of animals, and quality of care for animals.”
Commissioner Lorraine Cochran Johnson requested the audit, telling The Atlanta Journal Constitution that she continues to receive an “enormous” number of calls and emails about problems at the DeKalb County shelters.
“I am proud to move along this resolution to assure the residents of DeKalb that decisive actions will be taken to remediate any adverse conditions and ensure best practices at LifeLine Animal Project,” Cochran Johnson…
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