5 best animal shelters in Atlanta

There are many animal shelters and rescues in the Atlanta area, and they’re all dedicated to the life-saving work of providing thousands of homeless pets with loving homes.

Whether you’re looking to add a puppy to your family, adopt an adult dog to go on hikes with, or give a senior dog a place to call home in their golden years, these Atlanta-based shelters are there to help you find the right match!

Atlanta Humane Society

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Overview

The Atlanta Humane Society, a non-profit organization with 148 years of service, focuses on caring for abused, neglected, and surrendered pets.

This no-kill shelter offers adoption services, veterinary care, and community outreach programs. If you're looking for a specific type of dog or cat, an online form allows you to receive real-time pet alerts when a matching animal arrives!

The shelter’s American Heroes Adoption Program provides a 50% discount on dogs and cats one year and older for first responders, military personnel, veterans, healthcare workers, and members of the National Association of Independent Truckers.

Facilities

• Address: 1551 Perry Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

• Phone: (404) 875-5331

Community involvement

• Volunteer opportunities

• Community events and partnerships

Best Friends Lifesaving Center

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Overview

Discover your next best friend or foster pet at the Best Friends Lifesaving Center in Atlanta, an extension of the renowned Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS). The Atlanta and New York programs have merged to form a new East Coast initiative for saving animal lives.

Now entirely foster-based, the Atlanta center collaborates with local shelters and animal welfare organizations to find homes for homeless pets. If you’re not ready to adopt, you can sign up to foster a pet through the Atlanta BFAS.

Facilities

• Fosters only; no shelter location

• Phone: (404) 815-6680

Community involvement

• Foster program coordination

• Partnerships with local shelters

• Adoption events

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PAWS Atlanta

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Overview

PAWS Atlanta, a no-kill shelter, offers homeless pets a second chance. A dedicated staff cares for cats in a free-roaming area and dogs in both large and small dog sections.

The shelter features a 3.5-acre walking trail and an off-leash area, perfect for getting to know adoptable dogs. For families with kids, the week-long PAWS Atlanta PALS summer camp provides fun activities, guest speakers, behind-the-scenes experiences, and interactions with adoptable cats and dogs.

Facilities

• Address: 5287 Covington Hwy., Decatur, GA 30035

• Phone: (770) 593-1155

Community involvement

• PAWS Atlanta PALS summer camp

• Volunteer opportunities

• Community outreach programs

Furkids Animal Rescue & Shelters

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Overview

Headquartered in Atlanta, Furkids is a charitable organization that runs the largest cage-free and no-kill shelter for cats and a no-kill shelter for dogs in the Southeast. Since 2002, Furkids has rescued over 65,000 animals.

Currently, more than 1,000 rescued animals await adoption in their centers, certain PetSmart and Petco locations, and foster homes throughout the city.

Furkids also offers a youth volunteer program for children of all ages and operates thrift stores and a pet boutique pop-up in the area.

Facilities

• Cat shelter/Headquarters: 5235 Union Hill Rd., Cumming, GA 30040 | Phone: 770-613-0880

• Dog shelter: 1520 Union Hill Rd., Alpharetta, GA 30005 (Dog shelter) | Phone: 678-624-1003

Community involvement

• Youth volunteer program

• Thrift stores and pet boutique pop-ups

• Adoption centers at PetSmart and Petco

Angels Among Us

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Overview

Angels Among Us pulls dogs and cats from high-kill animal control facilities throughout Georgia and places them in foster homes in the north metro Atlanta area before finding them forever homes.

The group relies on the motto “Rescue One Until There Are None” to save as many adoptable dogs and cats as possible. The rescue organizes several adoption events on weekends at various locations. If you're on the hunt for a great family dog, events like these are a smart place to start.

Facilities

• Address: PO Box 821 Alpharetta, GA 30009

• Phone: (877) 404-5874

Community involvement

• Foster program

• Weekend adoption events

• Community education and awareness

Choosing a reputable shelter is crucial to ensuring you find a healthy, well-cared-for pet to join your family!

These Atlanta-based shelters and rescues provide excellent services and support to both pets and pet parents. Visit and support your local shelters to help them continue their life-saving work.

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