Community Outreach Program
We work with underserved communities in Georgia and other southern states as one of the leading rescues in the South. We also provide supplies, lifesaving medications, and food to our shelter partner, POLK County Animal Control (Shelter), in GA.
Hounds in Pounds continues to make significant contributions to the Polk County Animal Control Shelter, including monetary donations and supplies (heartworm preventative, flea and tick preventative, leashes, collars, food, treats, beds, crates, and heartworm tests).
We have established partnerships with veterinarians who contact us when a family brings in a dog in need of critical medical care or diagnostics but lacks the financial means to cover the expenses. In certain situations, families have even requested euthanasia for their pets.
When a veterinarian determines that a dog has a strong chance of recovery, we commit to funding the necessary treatment and actively seek a loving new home capable of meeting the dog’s ongoing needs.
Additionally, our Community Outreach Program focuses on collaborating with smaller rescue organizations involved in large-scale breeding or hoarding cases. These smaller rescues often require the support of a larger organization, like ours, which can provide more extensive resources such as foster homes, potential adopters, and veterinary partnerships.
Community Outreach
Your gift makes helping possible
Testimony from Shannon, a Volunteer with Polk County Animal Control.
“Despite the absolute heartbreak we experience when a dog or cat ends up on death row, Hounds in Pounds has changed the course of our shelter by purchasing much-needed equipment to create more space and helping us buy essential cleaning products and essential medications we couldn’t afford.”
READ MORE
“With our growing intake rate, dogs will only get, on average, two weeks maximum to find a home or rescue before they are euthanized. If rescues or adopters step up, that creates more space and gives us more time to help get the animals out. It’s always a balancing act.
We only have 36 dog kennels, including our quarantine area, to house the estimated 1100 dogs that enter our shelter annually.
A staggering 85% of our cat and dog intakes have never received vetting before coming to animal control. That includes standard care like vaccinations and checkups. Many animals come in heavily loaded with parasites and fleas—basic medicine, like dewormer, can save a dog’s life. Many come in underweight, with poor nutrition and thinning coats.
Our county’s budget isn’t big enough to cover everything required for the year, so many animals can’t receive the lifesaving medical care they need.
However, with help from Hounds in Pounds, the rescue has helped to provide much-needed medication, food, toys, treats, supplements, collars, leashes, bowls, and beds for the animals.
90% of the dogs HiP takes into their rescue are from Polk County Animal Control.
While it is unrealistic to think HiP could save all the animals from Polk’s shelter, they have decided to help instead of ignoring the crisis.
Your donations and help do so much more than you may even realize. We see your impact on the everyday operations of our shelter and the animals’ well-being and happiness.”