LifeLine Animal Project Wants to Run No-Kill County Shelters. Can it be Done?

LifeLine Animal Project, a nonprofit animal rescue organization based in Avondale Estates, has won the contract to operate the Fulton County shelter and was recently awarded the contract to run the DeKalb shelter.

Both county shelters have been criticized for high euthanasia rates and conditions. LifeLine wants to find a way to eventually convert them to no-kill operations.

But can a nonprofit organization run animal shelters for two of the nation's biggest metropolitan counties as no-kill operation? Some animal rescue groups have noted that no-kill shelters often turn away unwanted animals when they don't have space - meaning that many of those animals end up at county-run shelters that do kill.

In 2009, 8,754 dogs and cats ended up at the DeKalb County shelter, and 9,225 in Fulton, according to Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together. Most do not find new homes.

What do you think of LifeLine's plan? Can a no-kill shelter can handle the sheer number of unwanted animals in DeKalb and Fulton counties? How much would you be willing to pay to support the effort?

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