A friendly competition between Trion City Schools and Chattooga County Schools has resulted in thousands of dollars being raised to help dogs at the Chattooga County Animal Shelter.
Chattooga County Animal Control is asking for the community’s help as the shelter experiences an influx of young kittens.
According to shelter officials, 14 kittens have been taken in during the past week alone, including nine that arrived without their mother and require additional care and feeding.
The shelter is currently in urgent need of wet kitten food donations, and officials say any brand will help. Donations can be dropped off during shelter operating hours or mailed directly to the facility.
Chattooga County Animal Control is located at 464 Red Oak Drive in Summerville.
Regular shelter hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Wednesday visits are available by appointment.
Officials say community support is critical in helping provide proper nutrition and care for the young animals until they are ready for adoption.
Anyone wishing to help can donate wet kitten food directly to the shelter.
Walker County animal welfare leaders are celebrating what they describe as a major step forward for animals in the community.
The Walker County Board of Commissioners has approved a new spay and neuter ordinance following nearly two years of meetings, revisions, and ongoing discussion.
According to the Walker County Animal Shelter, the ordinance is designed to help address pet overpopulation and encourage responsible pet ownership. The measure applies to pet owners who are found in violation of animal-related offenses, requiring them to have their pet spayed or neutered or pay a fee. That fee is expected to be finalized at an upcoming commissioners meeting.
The ordinance includes exemptions for hunting dogs, working dogs, livestock guardian animals, licensed breeders, and pets with medical exemptions certified by a licensed veterinarian.
Shelter officials say animal welfare efforts often face significant challenges, including overpopulation, hoarding cases, cruelty investigations, and limited resources. Despite those challenges, they say the new ordinance represents meaningful progress for the county.
The Walker County Animal Shelter will continue offering its spay and neuter voucher program and hopes to expand resources available to pet owners in the future.
Walker County has received a 2026 Georgia County Excellence Award from ACCG, Georgia’s County Association, for innovation in county government.
The county was recognized for its spay and neuter voucher initiative, a program designed to reduce unwanted litters and improve animal welfare across Walker County.
The program provides up to 40 free vouchers each month for companion animals. Each voucher is valued at $200 and covers spay or neuter services, microchipping, and a rabies vaccination.
During the first eight months, Walker County Animal Shelter staff issued about 190 vouchers, resulting in 61 female cats, 36 male cats, 44 female dogs, and 49 male dogs being altered.
County officials say the program is already making an impact. Compared to 2024, the shelter saw a 64% decrease in owner surrenders during September, October, and November. Surrenders of kitten and puppy litters dropped by nearly 80% during that same period.
The program is funded entirely through donations, and more than 500 people are currently on the waiting list for a voucher.
Walker County was one of six counties recognized statewide for programs that improve their communities.
A Walker County investigation has led to the arrest of a Rossville couple on multiple animal-related charges after authorities say a dog suffered a prolonged and preventable death.
An urgent call for help is going out from volunteers supporting the Chattooga County Animal Shelter, as a senior dog struggles to adjust after being surrendered.
A bill known as “Beau’s Law” has passed through the Alabama Legislature, aiming to establish stricter statewide standards for how dogs are treated—particularly those kept outdoors.
An important plea is going out from Friends of Chattooga County Animal Shelter, where supporters say more volunteers are needed to help meet the daily needs of animals waiting for homes. Shelter organizers say there is truly something for everyone to do, and no amount of help is too small when it comes to caring for the dogs and cats at the facility.
Georgia lawmakers have approved legislation that would create a statewide animal cruelty database aimed at protecting pets and preventing repeat abuse.
The bill, known as Senate Bill 587, requires the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia to build and maintain a publicly searchable registry of individuals convicted of certain animal cruelty offenses.
Under the proposal, courts would be required to submit conviction and sentencing information, and the database would be updated regularly and available to the public at no cost.
Supporters say the registry will help animal shelters, rescue groups, and even private citizens screen potential pet adopters and avoid placing animals in dangerous situations.
The measure passed both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly and now heads to the governor’s desk, where it could soon become law if signed.
A Summerville woman has been cited following an investigation into animal cruelty after multiple dogs were found in poor condition at a residence on Northwest Congress Street.