Terrell Co. Animal Shelter extended pardon spares dogs

TERRELL CO., GA (WALB) - The Terrell County animal Shelter has not euthanized a single dog for more than two months.

They once again extended a pardon that was supposed to last just one week as a group called "Paws for Hope and Faith" works to find homes for the animals.

Shane and Janet Smith travel the country helping shelters.

The Terrell County shelter pardoned all their dogs on June 15^th while the Smiths worked to find them homes.

They've had such success, they have continued to extend the pardon week after week.

The dogs at the Terrell County Animal Shelter have been spared for more than two months now, thanks to the animal group "Paws for Hope and Faith."

A week long pardon that was signed on June 15th has continually been extended week after week.

"Every week at the end of the week I call Martha Ann and I ask for an extension, our goal still is to get them all out, to give the county some breathing room, so they don't have to euthanize," said Shane Smith, "Paws for Hope and Faith" President.

Shane Smith has worked with numerous rescues all over the country, trying to find these animals a home.

"They have done a wonderful job moving the dogs out of Terrell County, not one single dog has been euthanized, and they have been able to locate homes all of the united states for our dogs," said Smith.

Of the 87 dogs that have come through the shelter, "Paws for Hope and Faith" have found 42 of those dogs homes.

It costs the county $82 to euthanize each dog, so over the 10 week pardon, Smith has saved the county almost $3,500.

"Not only is it helping the county financially, what he is doing but the biggest thing is the humane side of it, what Shane Smith, and his organization has been able to do for the animals, of Terrell County," said Martha Ann Coe, Terrell Co. Animal Control Director.

Animals that would have otherwise been roaming the streets.

Each week Smith documents the new dogs that come in to make sure no dog is left behind.

If you want to adopt one of the dogs or help the shelter in other ways.

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