The DeKalb County animal shelter on Chamblee Dunwoody Road is out of kennel space, with more than 500 dogs inside and another 500 in foster homes, and 36 dogs still at risk of euthanasia after a weekend rescue push saved 18 others.
The shelter is full.
LifeLine Animal Project, the nonprofit that manages DeKalb County Animal Services, confirmed on Aug. 22 that 18 dogs had been pulled from an "urgent" euthanasia list. But 36 dogs in DeKalb County and 36 more in Fulton County remain at risk, Atlanta News First reported.
The shelter's website displayed a banner reading "HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED" and stating the facility is completely out of kennel space.
Tiki Artist of LifeLine Animal Project said economic pressure is driving the surge in surrenders. "Most of the animals that are in our shelter are well-behaved. They've been in homes before, but due to a lot of surrenders that are coming in right now and the economy, people are struggling and they can't keep their animals in their homes," Artist told Atlanta News First on Aug. 22.
Despite the crisis, DeKalb County's save rate remains above 90%, Artist said.
Sam Moore, a LifeLine employee, told the Southerner Online on Aug. 17 that overcrowding at open-intake shelters raises the risk of disease outbreaks and reduces the quality of care each animal receives. DeKalb and Fulton County Animal Services are the only open-intake shelters in Atlanta, meaning they cannot turn animals away regardless of capacity.
How Dunwoody and Brookhaven residents can help
The shelter sits at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road in Chamblee, minutes from both Dunwoody and Brookhaven.
Free Tuesday adoptions: LifeLine's "Take 'Em Home Tuesday" program waives all dog adoption fees every Tuesday year-round.
$25 adoptions all August: The national "Clear the Shelters" campaign has reduced adoption fees to $25 for the entire month.
Free adoption weekend Aug. 27-31: All adoption fees are waived Thursday, Aug. 27, through Monday, Aug. 31.
Foster: Residents can apply to foster at dekalbanimalservices.com/foster. No experience is required.
Relief on the horizon
DeKalb County's FY2027 budget, announced in July, includes $780,000 to enhance animal services, including expanded spay-and-neuter programs and funding for a second shelter on the south side of the county. The county broke ground in November 2024 on a $4.1 million overflow "pet neighborhood" expansion at the Chamblee Dunwoody Road facility; that expansion opened and became fully operational in December 2025, adding 10 climate-controlled buildings with space for up to 120 more dogs.
Upcoming
- Every Tuesday: Free dog adoptions at DeKalb County Animal Services, 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
- Aug. 27-31: Free adoption weekend (all pets, no fees)
- Through Aug. 31: $25 adoptions as part of Clear the Shelters
