Coweta County presents adoption center plan and pilot programs including "Doggy Day Out"; staff clarifies vet services and capacity

Coweta County staff presented survey results and a revised plan for a proposed adoption center on March 28, and described pilot programs intended to increase visibility and adoptions while keeping euthanasia rates low.

The proposal and survey: Staff said 165 survey responses were collected over two weeks and identified six themes: facility size and capacity, kennel and adoption-center design, veterinary/medical facilities, location and accessibility, adoption-process/community engagement, and noise reduction/stress management. Staff emphasized the proposed building is an adoption center — not a replacement of the main Selt Road shelter — and said medical and surgical veterinary services would remain at the Selt Road site.

Design and capacity: Staff said the adoption-center design now accommodates 48 dog kennels (24 for larger dogs and 24 stacked small-dog enclosures) plus separate cat enclosures that would be stacked to increase capacity. The design includes viewing windows that allow visitors to see adoptable animals without entering the kennel area and separate adoption/bonding rooms for meet-and-greets. Staff also described noise-reduction measures used in other counties, including an internal walled kennel area and sound insulation to limit barking audible to neighbors.

Veterinary services and staffing: County staff clarified there is currently a veterinary wing at the Selt Road shelter that provides spay/neuter and medical care; the adoption center as proposed would not duplicate surgical facilities. The county currently uses a contracted, part-time or on-call veterinarian and has explored contracting or partnerships with veterinary technician programs to reduce cost. Commissioners asked for a cost comparison between contracted veterinary services and hiring a full-time veterinarian plus support staff.

Programs to boost adoptions: Staff proposed a Doggy Day Out pilot and other visibility efforts. Doggy Day Out would let vetted volunteers or approved community members take shelter dogs into supervised public settings (not unrestrained dog parks) and return a short report on the dog’s behavior; staff said the county attorney has reviewed a waiver and participant manual to address liability. The county also described next steps toward a foster-to-adopt pathway if the doggy-day pilot proves effective. Staff emphasized they would require an application process, risk waivers and animal-service authorization before placing animals off-site.

Euthanasia and intake policy: Staff and commissioners reiterated euthanasia is a last resort and said there are internal procedures requiring veterinary approval in medically necessary euthanasia cases. Commissioners noted a state bill under consideration would affect procedures and penalties for euthanasia decisions and asked staff to track relevant legislative changes. Staff also described additional staffing for animal services, including a recently hired adoption coordinator.

Advisory committee and next steps: Staff proposed forming an advisory committee including county staff, veterinarians, citizens and behavior trainers to guide outreach, spay/neuter options, volunteer coordination and program design. Commissioners asked staff to return with recommendations for staffing, costs, liability coverage, and program rules before construction or a formal project approval decision.

Ending: Commissioners expressed support for proceeding to the next planning steps and asked staff to return with cost estimates, staffing proposals, and sample program protocols for Doggy Day Out and foster-to-adopt pilots.