Animal Shelter Sends SOS: Save Our Shelter!

SUWANEE, GA -- A Gwinnett County animal shelter may have to shut down if the community doesn't step up and pay up.

The Georgia SPCA is a non profit humane organization that rescues dogs and cats from Georgia Shelters that have to euthanize them. The agency finds homes for about 1,000 animals a year.

It also asissts law enforcement with cruelty cases and dog fighting cases.

Because it's non profit, the shelter relies on donations to pay the rent, utility and veternarian bills.

 "This year has been very hard since we lost our grant with Charter Communications because they filed for bankruptcy and weren't able to make their annual contribution which is a major part of our operating funds," said Joan Sammond, the organization's Director. "We also recently had to assist with animals in trouble from the flooding around Georgia and more animals coming in due to people losing their homes."

The organization's lease is up in July 2010 and at that time they were planning to move the adoption center to a less expensive location which would help out tremendously. "The only problem is we won't be able to last that long now unless we can get some donations coming in to help us out." Sammond said. "Right now we are looking at closing after the holidays if we can't bounce back."

The Suwanee based adoption center currently houses around 100 cats and dogs and Sammond said they will not be taking in any more animals since they may have to close. "There is a need for our organization here in Georgia," Sammond says, "We have been able to assist with many cruelty cases, we've saved a lot of dogs from dog fighting rings, assisted with sutting down puppy mills and offer low cost spay/neuter services to the public but it costs money to care for these animals and we don't receive any funding from the state or local government agencies. We rely soley on the public to keep us operating."

Anyone that would like to help the Georgia SPCA and make a donation can do so either online by logging onto Georgia SPCA or, mail a contribution to: Georgia SPCA 1175 Hwy 23 Suite 109 Suwanee, GA 30024.