Gwinnett Shelter Succeeds in Increasing Adoptions

The Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Services successfully increased adoptions and reduced the number of euthanized animals through several initiatives last year.

For the first in the shelter's history, the number of animals saved was actually greater than the number of animals put down in 2012, according to a news release from Gwinnett County Police. The number of saved animals include adoptions, rescues and pets reclaimed by owners.

Here are the exact numbers from the past five years: 

2012: 3,781 euthanized; 4,543 saved
2011: 4,128 euthanized, 4,105 saved
2010: 5,882 euthanized; 3,570 saved
2009: 7,850 euthanized; 4,091 saved
2008: 7,434 euthanized; 4,054 saved

The initiatives that the shelter has undertaken include a more robust volunteer program, a new partnership with Homeless Pet Clubs, an improved rescue group outreach program, and an increased number of special adoption events both at the shelter and in the community.

"While these numbers are encouraging, we still have a long way to go to meet our ultimate goal of having every adoptable pet that enters the shelter placed in a home," says the release.

Visit gwinnettanimalcontrol.com or check out this Patch article to find out more on volunteering and how to help the local shelter.

See also:

• Volunteers Needed at Gwinnett Animal Shelter
• Curl up With These Adoptable Cats
• These Adorable Dogs Need a Forever Home

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