Three shelter dogs got to size up their potential owners Aug. 30 at DeKalb County Animal Services, and not one found a match.
LifeLine Animal Project, which has operated the Chamblee Dunwoody Road shelter since 2013, debuted its "Meant to Meet" program at the DeKalb facility. The concept flips the typical adoption visit: instead of families browsing kennels, three dogs were introduced to three ready-to-adopt couples and allowed to choose whom to approach, according to Rough Draft Atlanta.
The dogs, Anthony Field, Penelope and Linguista, were all classified as "Level 1 animals," meaning no behavioral issues and friendly with cats and children. Timyka "Tiki" Artist, LifeLine's senior public relations manager, said the staff selected dogs they felt would do well with potential adopters. The idea was inspired by online videos of similar "reverse adoption" efforts at other shelters.
Some dogs engaged eagerly with all three couples. Others showed little interest, according to LifeLine.
No adoption happened that day. All three couples signed up to foster other shelter animals instead.
"For a first-time event, we were excited to see people engage with the dogs in such a personal way and come away wanting to stay involved with LifeLine," Artist said.
The program launched against a grim backdrop. As of Sept. 3, the DeKalb facility held 511 dogs, 36 over its 474-dog capacity. During August, LifeLine set a goal of placing 2,000 shelter pets in homes but fell short at 1,431. Artist told Atlanta News First in August that economic pressures were driving a wave of surrenders, with owners "struggling" to keep their animals.
Anthony Field, a stray mix who has been at the shelter since October 2025, is still waiting. Staff describe him as polite on a leash, gentle with treats and cat-friendly. He does have a flair for drama: Artist said he can "put on this incredibly dramatic husky screeching performance" when he spots another dog on a walk, then settles right back down.
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch has also been spotlighting the shelter's animals. A shelter dog named Kane joined the Dunwoody City Council meeting Aug. 25 as part of the mayor's initiative to raise awareness about pets entering the DeKalb facility, according to the city.
Anthony Field, Penelope and Linguista remain available at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Chamblee.
Upcoming
LifeLine's Super Adopt-A-Thon is Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Union Hill Park, 1590 Little Pine Trail, Alpharetta. The organization plans to bring 125 dogs from three shelters, all spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Adoption fees will be waived.
