Bartow County Animals Deserve Better
Bartow County Animals Deserve Better
The Issue
Bartow County Animals And Taxpayers Deserve Better!
A $1.7 million budget and public access is denied. Animal advocates and rescues are left to do the lifesaving work.
A $1.7 million budget and animals are found dead in kennels. No volunteering. No foster program. No community engagement.
The solution is simple. Bartow County Animal Control: OPEN THE DOORS!
A recent national study by the No Kill Advocacy Center found that when shelters fully reopened to the public (after the pandemic), adoptions rose 82%
We, the undersigned, call for open access, transparency, and humane shelter practices at the Bartow County Animal Shelter. The Bartow County Animal Shelter serves as a lifeline for the county’s lost, abandoned, and surrendered animals. Yet, current restrictions on public access, photography, and rescue efforts prevent citizens and volunteers from fully helping animals in need. These limitations create barriers to adoption, foster care, and accountability — ultimately costing lives that could be saved.
We respectfully urge Bartow County officials to take the following actions:
*End the EVHS Contract: The contract is not being upheld. EVHS doors are locked, there is no foster program, there are no outside adoption events. A private non-profit is acting as a gatekeeper and a decision maker to a public, taxpayer funded animal shelter.
*Open Adoptions at Bartow County Animal Control: Skip the Etowah Valley Humane Society (EVHS) middleman and allow residents to adopt directly from Animal Control.
*Allow Public Access Without Barriers: End “appointment only” policy at EVHS. Open Bartow County Animal Shelter doors to the public with regular, reasonable business hours. Just like other shelters in Georgia.
*Reinstate Banned Rescues & Volunteers: A federal statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, best known simply as “Section 1983,” prohibits governmental officials or employees from retaliating against or obstructing an activist’s exercise of his or her First Amendment rights in speaking out against conditions in animal shelters. Restore adoptions and communication to rescues and residents shut out for exercising their 1st amendment rights.
*Allow Volunteers in the Bartow County Animal Shelter: Let the community walk, socialize and care for the animals. A well-managed volunteer program is vital for the success and efficiency of an animal shelter, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between dedicated community members and the animals in their care.
*Implement a Stronger Stray Hold Policy: 3 days is not enough. A reasonable minimum 7-day hold gives rescue groups time to save lives.
*Practice Transparency & Provide Accurate Information: Active social media page with intake postings, open kennel numbers and professional behavior assessments for every animal.
*Practice Safe & Humane Veterinary Care: Review shelter surgeries to ensure proper veterinary standards are met or exceeded.
*Invest in a County-Funded Spay/Neuter Voucher Program: Partner with local veterinarians to reduce unwanted litters and shelter intake and support TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for cats.
*End Unnecessary Euthanasia: Stop killing healthy animals when animal kennels at the shelter are open, and report all outcomes honestly and accurately.
*Install New Solution-Minded Leadership: Replace existing management with more capable leadership
Lives are at stake. Time to act is long over due.
The Bartow Animals Deserve Better team
FOLLOW US ON FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578215011255
1,358
The Issue
Bartow County Animals And Taxpayers Deserve Better!
A $1.7 million budget and public access is denied. Animal advocates and rescues are left to do the lifesaving work.
A $1.7 million budget and animals are found dead in kennels. No volunteering. No foster program. No community engagement.
The solution is simple. Bartow County Animal Control: OPEN THE DOORS!
A recent national study by the No Kill Advocacy Center found that when shelters fully reopened to the public (after the pandemic), adoptions rose 82%
We, the undersigned, call for open access, transparency, and humane shelter practices at the Bartow County Animal Shelter. The Bartow County Animal Shelter serves as a lifeline for the county’s lost, abandoned, and surrendered animals. Yet, current restrictions on public access, photography, and rescue efforts prevent citizens and volunteers from fully helping animals in need. These limitations create barriers to adoption, foster care, and accountability — ultimately costing lives that could be saved.
We respectfully urge Bartow County officials to take the following actions:
*End the EVHS Contract: The contract is not being upheld. EVHS doors are locked, there is no foster program, there are no outside adoption events. A private non-profit is acting as a gatekeeper and a decision maker to a public, taxpayer funded animal shelter.
*Open Adoptions at Bartow County Animal Control: Skip the Etowah Valley Humane Society (EVHS) middleman and allow residents to adopt directly from Animal Control.
*Allow Public Access Without Barriers: End “appointment only” policy at EVHS. Open Bartow County Animal Shelter doors to the public with regular, reasonable business hours. Just like other shelters in Georgia.
*Reinstate Banned Rescues & Volunteers: A federal statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, best known simply as “Section 1983,” prohibits governmental officials or employees from retaliating against or obstructing an activist’s exercise of his or her First Amendment rights in speaking out against conditions in animal shelters. Restore adoptions and communication to rescues and residents shut out for exercising their 1st amendment rights.
*Allow Volunteers in the Bartow County Animal Shelter: Let the community walk, socialize and care for the animals. A well-managed volunteer program is vital for the success and efficiency of an animal shelter, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between dedicated community members and the animals in their care.
*Implement a Stronger Stray Hold Policy: 3 days is not enough. A reasonable minimum 7-day hold gives rescue groups time to save lives.
*Practice Transparency & Provide Accurate Information: Active social media page with intake postings, open kennel numbers and professional behavior assessments for every animal.
*Practice Safe & Humane Veterinary Care: Review shelter surgeries to ensure proper veterinary standards are met or exceeded.
*Invest in a County-Funded Spay/Neuter Voucher Program: Partner with local veterinarians to reduce unwanted litters and shelter intake and support TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for cats.
*End Unnecessary Euthanasia: Stop killing healthy animals when animal kennels at the shelter are open, and report all outcomes honestly and accurately.
*Install New Solution-Minded Leadership: Replace existing management with more capable leadership
Lives are at stake. Time to act is long over due.
The Bartow Animals Deserve Better team
FOLLOW US ON FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578215011255
1,358
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Petition created on October 6, 2025