Georgia’s Shelter System Is Broken Beyond Excuses

From Macon-Bibb to beyond, we’ve uncovered widespread neglect, systemic mismanagement, and leadership that’s either uninformed or unwilling to act. This is what a broken system looks like.

County by County, the Truth Comes Out

We’re exposing the worst shelter conditions in Georgia—starting with the counties that have ignored suffering the longest.

MACON-BIBB COUNTY, GA

In Macon-Bibb, the animal crisis extends far beyond the shelter gates. Population control is nonexistent, leaving animal cruelty officers unable to remove dogs from dangerous situations. Heartworm-positive dogs are euthanized simply because there’s no space or funding for treatment. Dog fighting thrives in the shadows, unchallenged. Across the streets of Macon-Bibb, neglected and abandoned dogs struggle to survive.

This county has been under scrutiny for years, yet nothing has changed. There’s no effective medical protocol for the animals who make it into the shelter. No functioning adoption or rescue pipeline. No urgency to investigate cruelty cases. And no transparency for the public whose tax dollars fund the system. The result? A community where animals continue to suffer and leadership lets it happen.

The Evidence Is Clear

Inside Macon-Bibb County

What We Found

Calls for animal control assistance: Over 8,000 in a year—yet the shelter responded to only about 2,000 of them, leaving thousands of cases unaddressed.
The shelter uses a 28-day maximum hold due to limited space. Beyond that, animals—regardless of their condition—face euthanasia or being left untreated
Recent 2025 reports highlight extreme overcrowding, insufficient response to animal control calls, and heartbreaking scenes of neglect—suggesting the current euthanasia and loss rates may be significantly higher, even if exact numbers aren’t publicly available.

Community Outrage. Government Silence.

The people of Macon-Bibb County have spoken—loudly.
Locals have submitted complaints, posted photos, emailed officials, and pleaded for help. Volunteers have quit in protest. Rescues have sounded the alarm. Residents have watched this shelter fail animals over and over.
And yet, the county’s response has been the same: deflect, delay, deny.
No comprehensive reform. No meaningful leadership change. No transparent plan.
Public trust is gone—and the suffering continues.

Animal Control Budget Downfalls

Animal Welfare Gets a Tiny Slice of the Budget
The total funding for Animal Welfare in 2025 is just $1,178,566. This includes salaries, operations, and equipment combined.
Sheriff’s Office Gets Nearly 50 Times More Funding
The Sheriff’s Office is allocated $56.9 million, while Animal Welfare receives less than 2 percent of that amount.
Most of the Budget Goes to Salaries
$793,568 of the Animal Welfare budget is spent on salaries and benefits. That leaves very little for animal care, rescue partnerships, medical needs, or shelter improvements.
Critical Services Severely Underfunded
Only $348,111 is left for all operational needs and just $36,887 for equipment. These numbers reflect a lack of support for addressing crises or modernizing the shelter.
Other Departments See Growth While Animal Welfare Is Ignored
Departments like Information Technology and Public Safety saw major budget increases. Animal Welfare did not.