What was previously known as the Lumpkin County Animal Shelter on 1363 Red Oak Flats Road is set for some big changes this year; the department itself has a new moniker, as the County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a name change request from Animal Shelter Manager Wayne Marshall.
There is also some fresh movement on County plans to build a long-awaited new $2.5 million shelter to replace the current, rapidly-deteriorating facility.
But amidst all of that turbulence, a small group of dedicated local volunteers continues to work silently in the background to help the shelter function smoothly.
That group is the Friends of Lumpkin County Shelter Animals, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit devoted to making sure that Dahlonega’s pets are safe and provided for.
The Nugget recently spoke to the President of the Friends group, Savana Borchers, to address common public misconceptions about the organization’s work anwd suggest some simple ways that the community can support them in their critical mission.
ANIMAL SERVICES
Following a unanimous vote at the regular May meeting of the Board of Commissioners, the department was officially renamed “Lumpkin County Animal Services,” reflecting the fact that its responsibilities extend beyond sheltering animals.
Borchers said the move doesn’t directly affect the Friends group, which has no immediate plans to change their own name.
“We’re still supporting animal control, the shelter and animals in the community,” she said.
Meanwhile, as of press time, the Board of Commissioners was set to consider awarding a construction bid for the new shelter during their first work session on Tuesday evening.
According to a staff memo included in that session’s agenda packet, JNB Services tendered the lowest viable bid for construction, but their proposal came in at $2.9 million, higher than the previously-approved $2.5 million SPLOST budget for the project.
County staff recommended that the Board vote to approve a list of revisions to the original design by H. Lloyd Hill Architects & Associates, in an effort to lower the overall price tag.
Those cost-cutting efforts would include assigning preliminary site work, including demolition of the existing structure, to the County. Staff also recommends switching from composite shingles to architectural shingles, substituting HVAC equipment brands and some other minor modifications.
In addition, nearly $380,000 in funds from two under-budget County projects would need to be diverted to foot the bill for the much-needed facility.
Staff cited the “conditions and limitations of the existing shelter” in their recommendation to approve the changes and advance the project to the construction phase.
“Continued repairs to the current building are no longer a feasible long-term solution, and delaying the project could result in the County being forced to suspend shelter operations,” the memo warned.
The budget back-and-forth only serves to highlight the continued need for the Friends organization.
“As we’ve gotten further into the process of the new shelter, Friends has gotten a lot of support from the commissioners, which is great, but I don’t think many people in the community realize that what we do as Friends is we advocate for the animals … We are a voice for the animals that will benefit from the shelter, and we would also be negatively impacted if we didn’t get a new shelter,” Borchers said.
She called for patience as that process plays out, noting that some people on Facebook appeared to be frustrated with the pace of the massive project.
“I want to see things done very fast, as well. But it doesn’t happen like that all the time,” she said.
PET-FRIENDLY PRESIDENT
Borchers has a long personal history with the shelter. She has been a volunteer with the Friends group for a decade, since she was only 16.
“I think my mom was really big in getting us involved with the community, and we always had a sweet spot for animals,” Borchers recalled.
One day her mother came home with an adopted dog from the shelter, and that proved to be just the start of the family’s involvement.
“We realized that the shelter was in need of a lot,” Borchers said. The entire family volunteered in the existing Friends organization, and continue to serve there to this day.
“My mom is still on the board, and my younger sister is Vice President, so it’s kind of a family affair,” Borchers said with a laugh.
Borchers also previously worked on staff at the shelter as an Animal Control Officer and a Vet Tech, until the birth of her son.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
Borchers said one of the most frequent misconceptions about the shelter is that most of the stray animals that are taken in are euthanized for time or space.
“They think because we’re a County shelter, most of the animals get put down and that’s not the case—The shelter meets criteria for ‘No Kill,’ it just can’t be because we are a County facility,” she said.
While the shelter has been able to meet the Best Friends Animal Society’s “No Kill” standard of at least a 90 percent save rate, Borchers pointed out that an unexpected weather event or a law enforcement bust at a puppy mill could lead to a massive number of intakes at any time.
“Unlike a Humane Society or a rescue, we have to take everything in,” she noted.
Borchers also responded to online questions about why a government-funded shelter needs outside support.
She said while the shelter is “absolutely County-funded,” projecting exactly how much money will be needed for the coming year, and getting that amount, is a tricky matter.
“When [the Commissioners] approve things, I think that they see it as ‘Okay, this is exactly what you need,’ when the reality is there are so many things that happen through the year that are unforeseeable,” Borchers said.
And Borchers said food is a constant need, especially as prices continue to rise.
“When the economy is doing poorly and people are struggling, we see more animals in the shelter because they can’t afford to take care of their animals,” she said.
Unfortunately, food often takes a backseat to other operational costs at the shelter.
“When you go and you see our budget for food it’s ridiculously low … But, in the grand scheme of things, we know we can raise funds for food,” she said.
Unfortunately, that means budgeted County funds often get earmarked for other pressing needs instead.
But Borchers was quick to point out that food donations to Friends, which are accepted at the local Tractor Supply Co. in Dahlonega, benefit more than just the shelter.
“We don’t just use the food for the shelter animals: That food also goes to community members. If Melissa [Line] from the [Community] Helping Place were to call me and say ‘Hey, I have this family that needs some food. Do you have some dog food?’ The answer is ‘Yeah, absolutely. Let’s get her some food,’” she said.
The organization addresses other local animal needs as well.
“Say Animal Control goes out to a home and there’s a dog outside that has no doghouse. If I’m made aware, it’s ‘Alright, let’s buy them a doghouse so they can keep their animal at home, because they do take care of it otherwise,’” Borchers added.
Assistance may also be available if an owner can’t afford to pay for adoption fees, or to have their pet spayed or neutered.
Borchers said it’s all part of a larger effort to keep pets in peoples’ homes.
“That is our mission—If they’re in a loving home, keep them in their loving home. Keep as many animals out of the shelter as possible, as long as they’re in a good situation,” Borchers said.
PUBLIC SUPPORT
Borchers suggested an easy and painless way for people to support the work of Friends is through the Kroger Rewards program.
She said members often don’t realize they are eligible to go the the online portal and designate a charity to receive a small percentage of their purchases.
“It’s not very much, but it’s still better than nothing,” Borchers said.
Friends also has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available for any level of time commitment.
They include posting adoptable pets to the group’s Facebook page, taking animals to adoption events, transporting food donations, walking shelter dogs and more.
One-time monetary gifts and recurring monthly donations can also be made by clicking on the “donate” button at www.friendsoflcshelteranimals.com.