For over the last decade, LifeLine Animal Project has worked to transform the landscape of animal sheltering in metro Atlanta. Much of this transformation is owed to a community of incredible lifesavers who answered the call years ago to be IN for our city’s animals most in need.
Saying, “I’m In!” doesn’t only mean you’re committing time or money to the cause. It means you are a friend to people and pets, alike, with an open heart and open mind. You are a voice and an advocate for pets who otherwise have no one to belong to, and nowhere to call home. You have inspired others to be change makers, lent a hand and led with empathy when helping people and pets in our communities.
Because of you, here’s what we’ve been able to accomplish over the last ten years:
LifeLine Begins Managing the Fulton County and DeKalb County Shelters
Heading into 2013, lifesaving rates were at 39% and 61%, in Fulton and DeKalb Counties, respectively. LifeLine was selected to manage the shelters and implement lifesaving programs! In the same year, we also opened a cat adoption center in Avondale.
Making Important Progress
By the end of this year, LifeLine accomplished lifesaving rates of 75.4% and 79.9% in Fulton and DeKalb Counties, respectively. Incredible, lifesaving growth in our first year managing the county shelters!
I'm In Begins!
The original In For LifeLine movement garnered mass community involvement in its local animal services. Businesses and community leaders, alike, lent their voices to helping Atlanta’s animals most in need.
LifeLine Receives National Recognition
Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation) awarded LifeLine a $1.5 million Lifesaving Impact Grant which funded our 20K Smiles campaign to find adoptive homes for 20,000 animals in the ensuing years.
A New Chapter in DeKalb County
A new shelter opened for DeKalb County Animals Services in Chamblee, transforming shelter conditions for the pets previously housed in Avondale.
At the same time, LifeLine took over the Pets For Life program supporting people and pets in low income zip codes in Fulton County.
100,000 Spay/Neuter Milestone
This year marked the 100,000th spay/neuter surgery performed at low cost to pets in Atlanta!
The LifeLine Community Animal Center Opens
We celebrated the grand opening of a new shelter and full-service clinic called the LifeLine Community Animal Center, an important step in caring for even more pets that arrive at the overburdened county shelters.
COVID-19 Changes Animal Sheltering
Despite the challenges of operating during a global pandemic, the community helped clear the shelters for the first time ever. Because of the widespread support, we also achieved one year of a 90% lifesaving rate in both county shelters.
LifeLine Joins HASS
The Human Animal Support Services coalition (HASS) launched nationally with a focus on helping people and pets with innovative programs. LifeLine became a pilot shelter to implement more community support initiatives that keep pets with their families where they belong.
20 Years of Lifesaving
LifeLine celebrated its 20th anniversary of lifesaving work in Atlanta and the hundreds of thousands of lives saved.
A New Chapter in Fulton County
At the end of the year, we held a grand opening for the new shelter opened for Fulton County Animals Services in Atlanta, transforming shelter conditions for the pets previously housed in the Midtown shelter.
Additionally, a lifesaving grant from the Banfield Foundation enabled us to launch mobile clinic services in our community.
Recordbreaking Year
We weathered the highs and lows of extreme weather and climbing summer intake but saw a record number of pets helped with free services and a newly implemented Home Free program to waive reclaim fees in our county shelters.
LifeLine also opened a wellness clinic at Fulton County Animal Services and expanded mobile van services including low-cost vaccine clinics, support for foster parents and free services, including a pet pantry, in partnership with DeKalb County.
The Momentum Continues in 2025! Are you IN?
Together, we can make a difference for Atlanta’s animals and keep families together through all of the ways shared below (and more!). Will 500 of you renew your commitment to lifesaving in 2025 to be IN for the next ten years?
By taking our virtual pledge, you are joining a lifesaving community where every animal lives their best life in a caring environment. Your pledge inspires others to take action, too! We will update you by email on monthly happenings at LifeLine and in the community and ways to stay involved.
