Animal Services

Lost and Adoptable Pets

View the Lost and Adoptable Pets website.

View the Animal forms.

When adopting an animal from Animal Services, you must:

• Pay the required adoption fee
• Sign an agreement to have the animal spayed or neutered within 30 days for adult animals, or before the puppy or kitten becomes 6 months old (Georgia State Law since July 1994)
• Sign an agreement to take the animal to a veterinarian of your choice within 7 days of adoption to obtain required rabies vaccination
  • Exceptions: some animals available for adoption are already vaccinated and spayed or neutered at the time of adoption.

Choosing the Right Pet for You

It is best to choose a pet that is suited to your personality, lifestyle, and environment. Make sure you have a clear sense of the responsibilities of owning a pet. Becoming a pet owner is a long-term commitment.

Choosing the right pet requires some research that will prove to be an educational and enjoyable challenge. You need to learn about the physical traits of different breeds, as well as their diverse personalities.

Local veterinarians can be very helpful. They are familiar with many different breeds and can answer your questions regarding the suitability of a particular breed to your lifestyle and environment.

Questions to Ask:

• What kind of temperament does this particular breed have? This is a primary concern. Some breeds were developed with specific functions is mind. Some are bred to hunt and some were bred to guard herds of animals. The more information you can find out about your pet's origin can tell you how well it will accept visitors into your home or how well it will behave around children
• What size will it be when it is full grown? This is especially important if you live in an apartment. Some breeds require a lot of exercise and a large area to run
• How much coat care will your pet need? Some breeds require frequent grooming by you or regular visits to a groomer
• Will you have time for training your dog? Some breeds are better suited to specific types of training. A well-mannered dog makes the best companion
• What about health issues in a specific breed? These are important considerations that must be resolved before choosing a particular breed. All pets need occasional health care

Health Issues

Prevention of fleas and ticks can be time consuming, but the results are well worth the effort. There are dips, one-spot applications, sprays, pills, powders, shampoos and collars. Contact your veterinarian for the right product for your pet.

Grooming your pet is essential whether your pet is low maintenance or a breed that requires regular visits to a groomer. Consult with your veterinarian concerning special shampoos for skin problems.

There is an endless variety of well-balanced pet foods on the market. Talk to your veterinarian about what kind and how much is appropriate for your pet's age and condition. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, clean water at all times.

Preventative health care will add to the quality and length of your pet's life. Prevention costs are often less than treatment, so make sure your pet visits your veterinarian at least once a year for its annual shots and a thorough examination. Puppies and kittens must have a series of vaccinations administered by your veterinarian. Older pets require annual vaccinations that are given by your local veterinarian. A heartworm preventative can keep your pet healthy and save you money in the future.

All cats and dogs in the state of Georgia are required to have a current rabies vaccination that can only be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

Keep your cat inside. Outdoor cats can become lost, stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to fatal infectious diseases, including rabies. Also, cats prey on wildlife.

Services and Fees

Adoptions

The Animal Services Manager and/or Community and Leisure Division Director may, at their discretion, enact "Special Adoption" pricing, without prior county approval or public notice, if the county animal shelter becomes over populated in order to stimulate animal adoptions.

Microchips and Supplies

Vaccinations

Only available at scheduled Rabies Clinics. To find out when the next one will be, like us on Facebook where we'll announce it, or call our office at 706-541-4077.

Animal Reclaim Fee

Please note: the quality of animal lives is very important to us; therefore, any animal that appears to the designated staff members at the Animal Services facility to be sick and/or injured, may be euthanized humanely to avoid suffering.

When an animal is picked up by our team, only the owner may reclaim the animal. We hold the animal for the owner for 5 days, after which, the animal is put up for adoption. In order to reclaim the animal, the owner must:

• Pay the Animal Reclaim Fee, which is the total night housed charge plus the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd impound instance fee
• Show proof of rabies vaccination, within 7 days

Livestock Transportation

Owner Surrender

An owner who brings his/her dog or cat to the County Animal Services facility and releases ownership to the County will be charged a fee of:

• Required vaccinations for dogs: Rabies, DHPP, Kennel Cough (Bordetella). Administered and documented by a licensed veterinarian
• Required vaccinations for cats: Rabies, Felv/FIV, Feline Combo (Upper Respiratory). Administered and documented by a licensed veterinarian
• There is an additional fee of $10 for each additional dog or cat surrendered as part of a litter
• Small mammal surrenders must be accompanied by a cage, bedding, water containers and food

An owner whose dog or cat is picked up by Columbia County and taken to the Columbia County Animal Services facility, which the owner releases ownership to Columbia County, will be charged a fee of $15 in addition to the above listed applicable fees. There is an additional fee of $15 for each additional dog or cat surrendered as part of a litter when picked up by Columbia County Animal Services.

Columbia County Animal Services will not accept release of ownership of any animal by someone other than a resident of Columbia County.

Other Animal Fees

Cremation Services

Except for animal remains picked up at veterinarian's offices within Columbia County, all animal remains to be cremated must be brought to the Columbia County Animal Services Facility.