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Mission Statement: Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter provides a humane refuge for unwanted, abandoned, and stray animals in Hart and Franklin counties. Background The Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter was opened in 1998. The shelter consisted of 23 indoor/outdoor runs, a treatment room, a puppy room, a reception area, an office and an education room. A group of concerned citizens named “Friends of the Shelter” worked tirelessly for approximately ten (10) years to raise the funds for the shelter building. The need for the shelter was self-evident based on the number of stray and unwanted animals seen throughout the counties. The intent was to construct the shelter using private funds. Once the building was ready for operation, the municipalities and counties served by the shelter would provide allocation funding to operate the facility. The allocation funding does not cover all expenses. The shelter relies on funds from private citizens and fund-raising activities to make up any differences. In 2008, NEGAS opened a feline center. Once again, public allocation funds were NOT used. The building is a renovated double-wide modular classroom that was purchased from the Franklin County Board of Education. It is used to house adoptable felines in one room while housing felines not yet adoptable (hold period after surrender has not been completed) in the other room. The major funding for this facility came from a bequest made in 2004 by Martha Jane Hill (a citizen of Hart County). Volunteer labor was used for 90% of the renovation to keep cost at a minimum. NEGAS is currently engaged in raising donation to build a canine adoption building. Dogs will be evaluated, treated, and vaccinated in the original shelter building and then held in ‘quarantine’ for contagious disease observation. Once the observation period and any stray hold time have been completed, the canine will be moved into the new facility to hopefully await a ‘forever’ home. The separation of intake and adoption will allow a more complete method of preventing cross-contamination and the spread of communicable disease. Should an outbreak occur, this separate will allow a portion of the shelter to remain open to the public. The new environment will offer a more ‘customer-friendly’ atmosphere for potential adopters. General Program Description Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter is a non-profit corporation, which serves Hart and Franklin Counties and the cities of Hartwell, Lavonia, Carnesville, Franklin Springs, Royston, Bowersville, and Canon. Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter provides for the sheltering and disposition of homeless and relinquished animals brought to the Shelter by law enforcement agents or resident citizens of those jurisdictions. The animals are humanely treated and cared for while at the shelter pending their being reclaimed by their owner, adopted, and rescued or, when necessary, euthanized. The shelter operates in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Georgia Department of Agriculture pertaining to animal shelter facilities. NEGAS offers low-cost vaccination and micro-chip clinics in the spring and fall of the year. We have also been invited to participate in the UGA veterinary college free spay/neuter opportunities. The Shelter promotes animal welfare through education and public information regarding animal welfare. NEGAS offers two (2) low-cost rabies, micro-chip, and other vaccination clinics Program goals and objectives The goals of the NEGAS are: 1. To provide appropriate care for animals that are relinquished to the Shelter by private citizen or law enforcement 2. To promote responsible pet ownership through education 3. To help eliminate the number of unwanted animals by promoting spaying and neutering 4. To increase the number of animals who are saved through adoption, fostering, rescue and return to owner efforts. Measurement of Effectiveness of Program NEGAS would like to measure its effectiveness through the reduction of the need for the shelter; however, the animal population continues to explode. The current economic environment has not helped the situation. Therefore, we measure our effectiveness in our ability to take in animals with little or no waiting period. But, the major measurement of our effectiveness is the fact that the shelter continually operates at a very high save (live-release) rate. The percentage ‘saved’ in 2021 was 79% and in 2020 it was 80%. NEGAS save rate is extremely high due to extraordinary efforts by the staff. Statistics of individuals served and community impact Our main community impact figures are generated based on animal statistics, but behind every relinquished, adopted, rescued pet are the individuals who were/are affected by the disposition of each animal. Our average intake for the last 5 years has been 2,450 animals.