How do you fund PAWS Atlanta?
PAWS Atlanta is a private, 501c3 organization and receives no federal, state or county funds. PAWS Atlanta stands for Pets Are Worth Saving, and was founded in 1966 as a No-Kill animal shelter. The organization exists entirely off grants, fundraisers and donations and was previously known as The Dekalb Humane Society.
What is a No-Kill animal shelter?
A No-Kill animal shelter does not place time nor financial limits on adoptable animals that are in that organizations care. PAWS Atlanta is the oldest and largest No-Kill animal shelter in the metro Atlanta area.
What are the adoption fees?
For dogs, it's an adoption fee of $175, cats $100. All animals adopted from PAWS Atlanta are spayed/neutered, have all their shots, de wormed and have a microchip for identification. If you want to adopt a puppy, it may not have it's rabies shot, as it's too young.
How do I surrender an animal to PAWS Atlanta?
PAWS Atlanta is sometimes full, and can't accept any new animals.
The metro Atlanta area has a very large problem with pet overpopulation. Each day in Atlanta approximately 260 pets are killed, due to either irresponsible ownership or feral populations.
Moving? Can you move to a residence that can accommodate pets? Behavioral problems? There are many great dog trainers in Atlanta, one of them can certainly assist you. Busy schedule? There are some doggie day care centers that your dog would love to spend the day at. Not enough money? We have resources that can help you with discount vaccinations.
Does PAWS Atlanta pick up stray animals?
No. Pick up of stray animals is handled by your county animal control office. For Cobb County 770-4994136, Dekalb County 404-294-2664, Fulton County 404-794-0358 and Gwinnett County 770-339-2000. For other counties please contact your respective counties office.
I found a litter of puppies/kittens. What should I do?
Contact your local county animal control office. You can also look over www.petorphans.com. This website lists every rescuer organization and humane society in the area. It's possible that all of those organizations are full. Until we all start to work together and spay and neuter every pet possible, homeless animals will continue to live on the street instead of our homes.
I found a stray pet/lost my pet. What should I do?
Try the same options as if you found a litter of puppies/kittens. For grown animals they are more likely to have somebody actively seeking them, so also check out www.lostandpound.com, post your query on www.petfinder.com and check your local animal control office to see if somebody turned your pet in there.

How can I get my pet spayed or neutered?
PAWS Atlanta has a weekly spay/neuter clinic. A small dog (under 50lbs) spay or neuter is $75, a large dog (over 50lbs) is $100, while a cat spay or neuter is $60. To make an appointment for this please call the front desk at 770-593-1155 to make an appointment.
How can I support PAWS Atlanta?
PAWS Atlanta spends an average of $700 on each animal that gets adopted from the shelter. From spaying/neutering the animal, to all of the vaccinations, food and overhead it adds up quickly. You can financially support PAWS Atlanta by following this link.
PAWS Atlanta always needs foster homes, volunteers at the shelter, help at offsite adoptions, special event support, photography and technology help. Yes, PAWS Atlanta is the oldest and largest No-Kill animal shelter in the area, but you can assist us in a number of different ways! If you would like to volunteer with PAWS Atlanta, please email: volunteers@pawsatlanta.org