As we look back on 2024, LifeLine Animal Project is filled with gratitude for bright moments of joy, resilience, and progress that have helped us weather a challenging year. Despite the hurdles, Atlanta’s unwavering support has allowed us to continue saving lives and creating brighter futures for so many pets in need. From expanding lifesaving services to heartwarming adoptions, these moments remind us of the power of community.
Together, we’ve made a lasting difference for people and pets in our city, and as we reflect on our favorite moments of the year, we remain inspired by what lies ahead.
Thank you for your support through it all. Continue on reading as we reflect on our top moments of 2023 and share our gratitude for every individual who made these moments possible.
Celebrity Spokes-pups
The Famous Miss Peaches and Pete the Beagle were adopted by media personality and founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy. They are living a life that most only dream of living! Dave’s online advocacy for adopting from shelters and attendance at our Good Human Gala with Miss Peaches has garnered an incredible amount of support for LifeLine. We love keeping up with the new siblings’ shenanigans on Instagram and TikTok!
Foster Program Reaches New Heights
With more than 55% of our pets living in temporary foster homes, our foster program is now one of the largest in the United States. LifeLine Animal Project has a fostering opportunity for every person’s schedule and experience to support pets with unique medical or behavioral needs, including vulnerable puppies and kittens and pets awaiting outcomes of court cases or rescue transport. We would not be able to save lives without our foster parents!
Record-Breaking Healthy Pets
Nearly 5,000 dogs and cats were provided FREE services through our Healthy Pets events in 2024! This is more than any previous year. Healthy Pets are held in the spring and fall, ensuring that pets have access to free vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, microchips, food and more!
LifeLine Live at State Farm Arena
Speaking of partnerships, the team at State Farm Arena welcomed LifeLine staff and pets to enjoy a VIP backstage experience. We were thrilled to hang out behind the scenes at both Sabrina Carpenter’s and Billie Eilish’s fall shows to spread awareness about our mission and bring some four-legged friends to meet the hardworking crews. Sabrina even posted about the adoptable kittens and puppies that she met…to her 43M Instagram followers!!!
LifeLine Goes Solar
In the spring, thanks to a partnership with RE-volv, a new 200kW solar system was installed at the LifeLine Community Animal Center! By going solar-powered, LifeLine is estimated to save $1.6 million on electrical bills over the life of the system and avoid emissions equivalent to removing more than 1,000 gas-powered vehicles from the road for a year. The future is bright and sustainable for animal welfare in Atlanta!
Open Homes During Hurricane Helene
Every new supporter we meet and connection we make with the community is pivotal for the moments we’re forced to jump into urgent action. With Hurricane Helene making landfall and headed towards Atlanta, we needed to clear our Fulton County overflow shelter that has been prone to flooding in the past. 150 dogs successfully found homes in just two days to ensure their safety!
Fulton County Wellness Clinic
A few months after the new Fulton County shelter opened, we were thrilled to add a wellness clinic to our suite of public services. Currently, we offer wellness exams, vaccines, and heartworm and flea/tick preventatives. So far, our Fulton County clinic team has provided care to 434 pets. We are hopeful to expand these services in 2025!
Memorial Walkathon
In memory of the late Cheryl Scheck, LifeLine board member and longtime volunteer, our Fulton County volunteers, staff members, rescue partners came together to honor her with a shelter walkathon. Over 250 adoptable dogs were taken out in one day for cheerful walks and play time, including 60 who had professional adoption photos taken at the shelter! As one of her friends shared at the end of the amazing effort, “I know Cheryl is smiling down on us and the dogs are sleeping good tonight!”
Days for the Dogs
Our Dog for the Day program took off this year, with more individuals reaching out to participate! Our DeKalb County shelter team worked with Rescue Rover Runners and other community partners to recruit as many as 50 fosters in one day to take our pups on adoption field trips around the city. We even had merch designed to fit the occasion and give these pups the spotlight they deserve!
DeKalb Kennel Expansion Breaks Ground
Wrapping up the year, and with the help of DeKalb County government officials and advocates, we broke ground on a kennel expansion at DeKalb County Animal Services called the “Pet Neighborhood”. This additional kennel space aims to house 120 dogs and is an important initiative to address the current shelter overcrowding. The first of the kennels are expected to open in spring 2025!
Additionally, DeKalb County provided funds throughout the year to help LifeLine provide free spay/neuter services through our SNIP program, and we began monthly pet food pantries for the county’s pet owners! The more pet families we can keep together through these offerings, the better.
