The Hall County Animal Shelter is urging the community to lend a helping hand by fostering or adopting because it faces an increasing number of needy animals. In response, the shelter has issued an 18-dog Urgent Adoption Notice.
“We are incredibly grateful for the community’s support since we began our Urgent Adoption Notices,” said Director of Hall County Animal Services, Trey Garcia. “This support allows us to continue providing quality care for the animals; this week, we need that help more than ever.”
Space limitations
To address space limitations, the shelter has launched its “Shelter Speed Dating” initiative throughout February. However, with the recent intake of 67 dogs, the need for fosters and adopters has become even more urgent.
“Our goal is always to collaborate with pet owners and act in the animals’ best interest,” Garcia explained. “When large-scale impoundments like this occur, our space and resources are stretched thin. This is when we rely on our community’s support to foster and adopt, ensuring that we can continue meeting the needs of every animal in our care.”
The campaign
Joy Licciardi, Public Information Officer for Hall County Government, said the campaign is going very well. Since February 1, the shelter has completed 58 adoptions.
“Our ‘Shelter Speed Dating’ initiative specifically focuses on our Doggie Day Out and Weekend Warrior programs,” Licciardi explained. “This allows someone to take one of our adoptable dogs out for the day or several days, respectively. To participate in Doggie Day Out, you must sign up as a volunteer with the Hall County Animal Shelter. Dogs may leave the shelter as early as 9 a.m. and must be returned by 4 p.m. To participate in the Weekend Warrior Program, you must be an approved foster.”
Potential foster families
All potential foster families must complete a foster application, which may be done in person at the Hall County Animal Shelter or online at hallcounty.org.
Applications are preferred to be filled out online to speed up the process. Call the shelter at 678-450-1587 or email April Crews, our volunteer/foster coordinator, at [email protected].
Once approved, the applicant must pass a virtual home inspection, meeting the Georgia Department of Agriculture requirements.
There is an $85 adoption fee for puppies and small breed dogs (0-25 pounds), a $25 adoption fee for medium/large breed dogs (over 25 pounds), a $0 fee for senior dogs (6 years or older), and a $25 fee for cats and kittens. All adoptable animals are spayed, neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated.
Urgent adoptions
Additionally, urgent adoption fees are always waived. The shelter participates in several events yearly where adoption fees are waived.
One such event is the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters Program in the spring and winter, which allows them to waive all adoption fees.
You can stay current on events and promotions by following Hall County Animal Services on social media and checking the Hall County website at hallcounty.org.
To learn more about available pets for adoption or to inquire about fostering, please visit Hall County Animal Services online at hallcounty.org, call 678-450-1587, or visit the shelter at 1688 Barber Road in Gainesville. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
