LifeLine By The Numbers
LifeLine continues to lead the way in Atlanta to end unnecessary shelter euthanasia. Through lifesaving initiatives at our DeKalb and Fulton County animal shelters and through holistic outreach efforts, we work to prevent animal homelessness and provide communities in need with support and pet resources.
The challenge of saving lives belongs to all of us. And when we all work together, the animals win. Let’s make Atlanta a lifesaving city. Are you in?
* This data reflects operations at our two county shelters: Fulton County Animal Services and DeKalb County Animal Services.
90% is recognized nationwide as the standard for No-Kill. LifeLine’s focus isn’t about achieving a specific number or percentage, it’s about saving every healthy and treatable animal and making decisions that are best for every individual pet that comes into care.
| FCAS | DCAS | TOTAL | |
| Total Intake | 784 | 721 | 1,505 |
| Adoptions | 502 | 432 | 934 |
| Returned to Home | 107 | 92 | 199 |
| Transferred to Rescue | 247 | 144 | 391 |
| Died | 12 | 6 | 18 |
| Euthanized | 63 | 24 | 87 |
| Admin/Exceptions | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Shelter-Neuter-Return | 16 | 8 | 24 |
| Total Outcomes | 957 | 709 | 1,666 |
| Lifesaving Rate | 89.8% | 95.7% | 92.8% |
| FCAS | DCAS | TOTAL | |
| Total Intake | 759 | 630 | 1,389 |
| Adoptions | 447 | 381 | 828 |
| Returned to Home | 73 | 76 | 149 |
| Transferred to Rescue | 225 | 192 | 417 |
| Died | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Euthanized | 27 | 41 | 68 |
| Admin/Exceptions | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Shelter-Neuter-Return | 39 | 15 | 54 |
| Total Outcomes | 825 | 720 | 1,545 |
| Lifesaving Rate | 95.9% | 92.2% | 94.05% |
| FCAS | DCAS | TOTAL | |
| Total Intake | 867 | 782 | 1,649 |
| Adoptions | 427 | 370 | 797 |
| Returned to Home | 118 | 93 | 211 |
| Transferred to Rescue | 204 | 218 | 422 |
| Died | 2 | 21 | 23 |
| Euthanized | 48 | 43 | 91 |
| Admin/Exceptions | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Shelter-Neuter-Return | 27 | 20 | 47 |
| Total Outcomes | 837 | 770 | 1,607 |
| Lifesaving Rate | 93.4% | 91.7% | 92.55% |
*DOA (Dead on Arrival) is not included in intake or outcome categories.
**Admin/Exceptions explained: Rare cases involving process anomalies that prevent confirmation of an animal’s final outcome, such as, but not limited to, a pet who accidentally escaped foster care.
* This data reflects total operations at our two county shelters: Fulton County Animal Services and DeKalb County Animal Services.
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total Intake |
15,089 |
15,380 |
16,671 |
16,295 |
16,866 |
13,859 |
15,540 |
13,173 |
15,070 |
18,124 |
20,497 |
|
Total Adoptions |
5,943 |
5,938 |
6,418 |
6,286 |
7,960 |
7,215 |
7,117 |
5,306 |
7,491 |
8,839 |
11,246 |
|
Returned to Home |
1,773 |
1,871 |
1,903 |
2,047 |
2,359 |
1,884 |
2,121 |
1,782 |
1,868 |
2,283 |
2,568 |
|
Transferred to Rescue |
4,221 |
5,135 |
4,689 |
4,739 |
4,368 |
3,818 |
3,772 |
3,550 |
3,812 |
4,130 |
4,489 |
|
Died |
417 |
411 |
553 |
477 |
354 |
270 |
300 |
237 |
374 |
393 |
450 |
|
Euthanized |
2,011 |
1,341 |
1,910 |
1,701 |
1,192 |
603 |
762 |
780 |
1,232 |
1,584 |
1,395 |
|
Shelter-Neuter-Return |
599 |
562 |
594 |
593 |
691 |
572 |
714 |
286 |
163 |
230 |
367 |
|
Total Outcomes |
15,012 |
15,281 |
16,257 |
16,033 |
17,112 |
14,562 |
15,012 |
12,122 |
15,151 |
17,661 |
20,768 |
|
Lifesaving Rate |
83.5% |
88.4% |
84.9% |
86.3% |
90.5% |
93.3% |
92.9% |
92.0% |
88.7% |
88.8% |
90.7% |
