Furkids Animal Rescue Consolidates Operations In Cumming

CUMMING, GA — Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters has consolidated its operations to North Metro Atlanta, effective Jan. 1. The 18-year-old animal rescue organization completed its long-term lease in Gwinnett County and moved into a new, permanent location at 5235 Union Hill Road, housing its headquarters and cat shelter. The administrative headquarters and cat shelter are located in an existing building on the Furkids campus while the organization raises funds to build a new, state-of-the-art shelter.

The Furkids dog shelter, Sadie’s Place, will remain in its current location at 1520 Union Hill Road in nearby Alpharetta. Dogs will visit the campus headquarters periodically for adoption and volunteer events.

In addition to the Furkids cat shelter, Furkids will maintain its existing cat adoption centers at several Atlanta area Petco and PetSmart stores, and is and is opening a new satellite adoption center and clinic in Peachtree Corners next to the Furkids Thrift Store at 4015 Holcomb Bridge Road. Furkids will also maintain its TransFUR program that transports Georgia’s homeless animals to no-kill shelters in northern states where they are highly adoptable. In addition, the Furkids foster program will continue with in-home foster services provided by dedicated volunteers and staff.

The new Furkids headquarters in Cumming was the original home of Wakoola Water Gardens, landscaped with ponds, streams, waterfalls, walking paths, birds, bees, butterflies, and breathtaking gardens. Furkids purchased the property in 2019; building on the legacy established by the original owner, the animal rescue organization now has a natural sanctuary at the waters’ edge for animals and people who love them.

“Furkids made a strategic economic decision to consolidate operations into north metro Atlanta. Our cat shelter had been located in a leased property in Doraville with no additional open space for cats and no potential for expansion, and our volunteers and staff members were scattered between Gwinnett County and Alpharetta. We had long searched for a permanent campus-like location that would allow us to fulfill our vision to provide a healthy, expansive environment for animals in our care, and allow us to more efficiently allocate our resources,” said Samantha Shelton, Furkids CEO. “This new location in Cumming is the home we’ve dreamed of, a perfect fit for our animals, staff, volunteers, adopters, and the community.

The Furkids campus, adjacent to the Big Creek Greenway in south Forsyth County, is open to adopters and visitors who want to enjoy the natural beauty of woods, gardens and waters. Furkids has long term plans to build new cat and dog shelters on the property, and to offer a range of services to animal lovers, including a veterinary clinic, educational programs for youth and adults, summer camps for youth, and much more.

“We are so happy to welcome friends and neighbors to experience our new headquarters and cat shelter location,” Shelton said. “Equally important, the size of the new property provides room for Furkids to expand the array of our lifesaving programs.”

More information is available at www.furkids.org.