PAWS Atlanta

Honoring our Past. Protecting their Future.

60 Years of Rescue

For sixty years, PAWS Atlanta has stood as a beacon of compassion, a place where homeless cats and dogs have found safety, care, and ultimately, loving homes. We honor our past by remembering the countless lives saved since 1966, the volunteers who gave their time, the donors who sustained our mission, and the families who opened their hearts to adoption. Each milestone reflects a community that believed in the power of kindness and the promise of a no-kill shelter.

At the same time, we protect their future by committing to the next generation of animals who will need us. Our work is not finished; it continues to evolve. Expanding foster networks, strengthening in-shelter care, and growing community programs like affordable pet care clinics and the pet food bank ensure that pets not only survive but thrive. Protecting their future means investing in sustainable facilities, educating families about responsible pet ownership, and inspiring young advocates to carry this mission forward.

Our anniversary is a celebration of the tens of thousands of animals whose lives we've changed and the people whose lives have been strengthened by the pets they adopted from us. PAWS Atlanta’s impact extends far beyond shelter walls; our work helps families, neighborhoods, and entire communities thrive. As one of the region’s longest-standing animal welfare nonprofits, we have supported generations of Metro Atlanta families through times of crisis, transition, and joy. From affordable veterinary services to pet retention resources, we are a reliable partner when families need help most.

Our Pet Food Bank provided food for hundreds of families each year. Our Behavior Workshops gave dog owners the tools to give their dogs the best life possible, offering sustainable skills as an alternative to rehoming. Because of our donors, this year, we expanded our low-cost vaccine clinic offerings by implementing a new appointment-based system. Your generosity supported the adoptions of many of our longest-term animals this year, proving that there is a home out there for every animal. Because of you, nearly 700 cats and dogs have found loving homes so far this year.

This GAgives on #GivingTuesday, will you help shape the future of PAWS Atlanta?

As we celebrate how far we've come, we also look ahead to all the work left to do. As our community grows, so does the need. We are proud to be a community-supported nonprofit. Our ability to remain no-kill for 60 years has been made possible not by government funding, but by the generosity of the people who believe in humane care and who want a more compassionate Atlanta.