Our local animals are in crisis, and it’s going to take all of us—from Fairmount to Resaca, and Calhoun to Plainville—to fix it.

Currently, our animal shelters are at a breaking point. They are overwhelmed, underfunded, and struggling to keep up with the number of animals in distress across our entire county.

While 6.3 million animals enter shelters across the U.S. every year, the struggle is happening right here in our own backyards. We are calling on both Gordon County and City of Calhoun officials to take immediate action.

The Crisis in Our Community

Whether an animal is found on a backroad in the county or a street in the city, they all deserve a chance. Currently, our system faces:

• Overcrowded Facilities: Shelters are frequently at capacity, making it difficult to take in new animals in need which also increases the kill rate to make room for new intakes. 

• A Resource Gap: Lack of funding for life-saving medical care, quality nutrition, number of kennels and room for animals, and the staff needed to facilitate adoptions. Weekends are currently not open for adoptions, making it even harder for these animals to get a way out.

• Outdated Ordinances: Our local laws need to be modernized to better protect animals and hold negligent owners accountable across the entire county.

Our Unified Goal: Three Pillars of Change

We are asking our Board of Commissioners and City Council to work together on:

1. Increased County-Wide Funding: Ensure our shelters have the budget to provide proper medical care, hire skilled staff, and maintain safe, clean facilities. Ask for an upgrade or expansion of facilities and updated weekend hours. 

2. Stronger Legal Protections: Update city and county ordinances to include stricter penalties for neglect and abuse, ensuring a safer environment for all pets.

3. Proactive Community Programs: Implement and fund county-wide spay/neuter initiatives and adoption incentives to stop the cycle of overpopulation.

Stand With Your Neighbors

A community is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. By signing this petition, you are sending a clear message to our leaders: Animal welfare is a priority for all residents of Gordon County.

Please sign today to demand better resources and stronger laws for our shelters. Together, we can ensure a better life for animals across our entire community.