JONES COUNTY, Ga. (WGXA) – They say dogs are man’s best friend, but many shelters across the state are at capacity.
On Wednesday, Jones County Animal Services got into the Halloween spirit dressing available dogs in festive costumes to help find forever homes for several dogs at an adoption event at Gray Hwy. Tractor Supply – opening space for other animals in need.
Over three million animals entered the U.S. just in the first part of 2024.While those numbers may be down in comparison to the previous year, but what this data doesn’t show is whether intake numbers are down due to a decrease in community need or shelter availability.”I believe a lot of it has to do with the economy,” said Jason Vinson, assistant director with Jones County Animal Services. “Dogs and cats are expensive, and vet bills are high…unfortunately, we have a lot of dumping.”Abandoning or dumping animals in Georgia is illegal. However, it’s a misdemeanor charge, unlike other states such as Arkansas, Connecticut, Idaho, and some others where abandoning or dumping animals is a felony charge.Vinson says available space in shelters is dependent on many factors.”Sometimes we have to take in two or three cruelty cases, which takes up kennels,” Vinson explained. “Unfortunately, when that happens, we have to make space.”Euthanasia is a sad reality for many dogs that wind up in Georgia shelters. That’s why he says adoption events are so important.”To be able to keep from euthanizing, we have to keep the flow going,” he said. “We’ve had wonderful community members step up and cover adoption fees; that covers microchip, spay, and neuter, rabies shots. That does help get some animals out.”Wednesday, five dogs were adopted. It was a successful day, especially for one dog in particular whose days were otherwise numbered.”We had one that was here for a couple of months,” said Vinson. “Our last effort was to get him here, and he got adopted.”There are plenty of others in need of a loving home if you’re looking to take on the lifetime responsibility – in exchange for their lifetime of unconditional love.”It’s a big favor to open your dog to a furbaby,” he said. “It’s a big commitment, but it saves a life.”For more info on animals available with Jones County Animal Services click here.Jones County Animal Services plans to have another adoption event at Agave Azul located at 106 Bill Conn Pkwy. in Gray on Nov. 9 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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