IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO
OUR ANIMAL SHELTER, SINCE 2017
COUNTY NAMES NEW ANIMAL CONROL DIRECTOR, 7/11/2024
Fayette County, Georgia, has named Tracy Thompson as the new director for the Fayette County Animal Control Department. Thompson was selected following an extensive recruitment process, including both internal and external candidates.
Thompson comes to Fayette County Animal Control with 28 years of experience in all areas of shelter and animal care, medical procedures, and management. She will assume her duties on July 11. Thompson is the former director of Dekalb County Animal Services. She managed day-to-day operations, trained staff, and facilitated humane care for animals. She also worked in Fulton County and with LifeLine Animal Project, the largest nonprofit animal organization in Georgia.
“We are excited to have Tracy Thompson joining our team. She managed two of the largest county shelters in metro Atlanta, Fulton and Dekalb. Tracy brings a vast knowledge in overseeing shelter operations. She worked with Lifeline, a nationally recognized innovator and pioneer in the animal welfare field. We are excited to have Tracy’s depth of experience as we continue to work with our animal advocate partners and volunteers to ensure we have a facility that meets our needs now and in the future,” Steve Rapson, Fayette County Manager said.
The Fayette County Animal Control Department has been dedicated to serving the community for close to 40 years. Our services include assistance to animals with public safety as the number one priority. To learn more about our services and to get involved with our work, please visit our website.
NO-KILL SHELTER
The Fayette County Georgia Animal Shelter was awarded the "We are a NO-KILL Shelter" award in 2023 and 2022 from the Best Friends Animal Society in recognition of achieving a 90% save rate or more of the animals in the shelter. To be considered “No Kill,” a shelter or rescue must have a live release rate of 90%. This is the second year in a row the shelter wins this national award.
“Fayette County has maintained an annual 95-98% live release rate annually and has operated as a "No-Kill" shelter since 2018. This accomplishment is only possible with our commitment to partnering with our animal advocates and volunteers to ensure we find forever homes for our animals,” Steve Rapson, County Manager said.
“This accomplishment represents so much more than just a statistic. It represents a culture of caring and compassion. It represents the tireless efforts of you and your dedicated staff, passionate volunteers, and steadfast supporters. It represents innovative, thoughtful programming. And it represents extraordinary leadership, both within your organization and within our broader welfare movement,” Julie Castle, Best Friends Animal Society’s Chief Executive Officer said.
The Fayette County Animal Shelter has been dedicated to serving the community for close to 40 years. Our services include assistance to animals with public safety as the number one priority. To learn more about our services and to get involved with our work, please visit our website.
https://fayettecountyga.gov/animal_control/
NO-KILL STATICS
Since 2017, the Animal Shelter, with the support of the Board of Commissioners and the assistance of animal advocates, rescue groups, and other citizens, has operated at the same level as "no-kill" shelters. Live release rates for 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively: 93%, 96.45%, 97.85%. The benchmark is 90%. It has been a team effort and a community success.
https://thecitizen.com/2020/01/19/fayette-animal-control-numbers-more-dogs-and-cats-saved/
Stay tuned. More will be coming ...
Fayette County, Georgia, has named Tracy Thompson as the new director for the Fayette County Animal Control Department. Thompson was selected following an extensive recruitment process, including both internal and external candidates.
Thompson comes to Fayette County Animal Control with 28 years of experience in all areas of shelter and animal care, medical procedures, and management. She will assume her duties on July 11. Thompson is the former director of Dekalb County Animal Services. She managed day-to-day operations, trained staff, and facilitated humane care for animals. She also worked in Fulton County and with LifeLine Animal Project, the largest nonprofit animal organization in Georgia.
“We are excited to have Tracy Thompson joining our team. She managed two of the largest county shelters in metro Atlanta, Fulton and Dekalb. Tracy brings a vast knowledge in overseeing shelter operations. She worked with Lifeline, a nationally recognized innovator and pioneer in the animal welfare field. We are excited to have Tracy’s depth of experience as we continue to work with our animal advocate partners and volunteers to ensure we have a facility that meets our needs now and in the future,” Steve Rapson, Fayette County Manager said.
The Fayette County Animal Control Department has been dedicated to serving the community for close to 40 years. Our services include assistance to animals with public safety as the number one priority. To learn more about our services and to get involved with our work, please visit our website.
NO-KILL SHELTER
The Fayette County Georgia Animal Shelter was awarded the "We are a NO-KILL Shelter" award in 2023 and 2022 from the Best Friends Animal Society in recognition of achieving a 90% save rate or more of the animals in the shelter. To be considered “No Kill,” a shelter or rescue must have a live release rate of 90%. This is the second year in a row the shelter wins this national award.
“Fayette County has maintained an annual 95-98% live release rate annually and has operated as a "No-Kill" shelter since 2018. This accomplishment is only possible with our commitment to partnering with our animal advocates and volunteers to ensure we find forever homes for our animals,” Steve Rapson, County Manager said.
“This accomplishment represents so much more than just a statistic. It represents a culture of caring and compassion. It represents the tireless efforts of you and your dedicated staff, passionate volunteers, and steadfast supporters. It represents innovative, thoughtful programming. And it represents extraordinary leadership, both within your organization and within our broader welfare movement,” Julie Castle, Best Friends Animal Society’s Chief Executive Officer said.
The Fayette County Animal Shelter has been dedicated to serving the community for close to 40 years. Our services include assistance to animals with public safety as the number one priority. To learn more about our services and to get involved with our work, please visit our website.
https://fayettecountyga.gov/animal_control/
NO-KILL STATICS
Since 2017, the Animal Shelter, with the support of the Board of Commissioners and the assistance of animal advocates, rescue groups, and other citizens, has operated at the same level as "no-kill" shelters. Live release rates for 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively: 93%, 96.45%, 97.85%. The benchmark is 90%. It has been a team effort and a community success.
https://thecitizen.com/2020/01/19/fayette-animal-control-numbers-more-dogs-and-cats-saved/
- FUNDING: Allocated one million dollars for a new state of the art animal shelter at the 9/26/2019 BOC meeting. At the 2/27/2020 Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board of Commissioners approved the architectural firm that will design the new shelter. Additional $2,000,000 allocated to complete construction (Phase 1 - 2024). Additional $1,000,000 SPLOST allocation to fund Phase 2, 6/11/2024.
- 2025 FYE budget $646,740, a 44% increase since FYE 2020 budget. 2020 FYE budget $450,786.00, a 36% increase since 2017 FYE budget.
- Allocated approximately $200,000 at our 7/13/2017 Board of Commissioners meeting to refurbish the shelter and connect it to sewer.
- TNVR Ordinance and Policy (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release), approved May 14, 2020. The culmination of a three-year effort with the Fayette Humane Society and the Office of the Solicitor General, this ordinance can be enforced and will allow those who wish to participate in TNVR to be exempt from the current controlling ordinance.
- Spay and neuter costs are covered by the County for every live release animal.
- Notification to rescue groups for assistance prior to any potential euthanizing of healthy animals.
- New cat condo tower added July 2024.
- New fostering program approved by the Board of Commissioners.
- New 911 and Animal Control fostering program: Headset Healers
Stay tuned. More will be coming ...
Charles W. Oddo
Commissioner
Fayette County Board of Commissioners
Candidate, District 5, At-Large
Commissioner
Fayette County Board of Commissioners
Candidate, District 5, At-Large