The troubled pound in Floyd Co Georgia lists animals on adoptapet.com. With each listing, there is a mission statement from the pound which begins:
The Animal Control department controls the stray population of Floyd County by code enforcement, capture of strays, and education of citizens. We also strive to provide comfortable temporary shelter for those animals while continuously using resources to place unwanted animals by adoption or rescue.
This is animal #0777 at Floyd Co AC, as shown on the Adoptapet website:
This pup appears to have a skin condition which is likely making her extremely uncomfortable. Floyd Co AC has her on a rusted metal grate inside a dirty concrete block kennel. “Comfortable temporary shelter” fail.
This is animal #0763 at Floyd Co AC, as shown on the Adoptapet website:
There is a video of this dog urinating while being walked on a rusted chain.
As I’ve said many times, I’m not asking for professional photographer quality shots of shelter pets – although I know some pounds have been offered free pet photography services and refuse them, which is a shame. But every shelter pet deserves a photo which at minimum reflects the value the shelter staff sees in the animal as a loving companion and family member. If the photo shows that the shelter staff sees no value in the pet, how is a potential adopter supposed to see it?
Holy crap, those are the narrowest kennels I’ve ever seen! And wire bottoms…is it 1957 there or what?
Those are sad photos. And those are tiny kennels and I guess they keep only one dog per kennel so they are kept in solitary confinement. So sad and bad.
Yegads! I thought the kennels in new MAS were narrow. This is horrible. Those poor dogs can’t even turn around without curling into a circle. As for the flooring in there it is dispicable. No animal should have to stay in those.
That poor girl – #0763! The photo brought tears to my eyes. I agree with Mikken, is this shelter from 1957? That’s horrible, the taxpayers should be totally disgusted by the condition of this shelter that is being paid for by their tax dollars. I hope and pray all of the dogs there can get out of there.
I was tagged to a both of these dogs to share on FB. I was so outraged, that I spoke my mind on the conditions these pets were in. I commented on the size of the kennel and the rusted wire they were standing on for each dog in this album. I was not banned from this shelter posting, but every comment I made has been deleted..I am heartbroken for the dogs, but so glad to see this here. This needs to be exposed
These kinds of photos should be abolished. Both dogs are undoubtedly lovely pets, but you’d never know it from such awful images. Horrible.
I don’t agree… all the shelters that treat companion pets in this manner need to be exposed and forced to make changes. This is unacceptable.. we all need to get our heads out of the sand.
Sorry, I didn’t mean the pets should be made invisible! I should have been clearer . . . I think better images should be published for them.
How narrow are those kennels? They aren’t even wide enough for the dog to turn around in, from the looks of the pictures. Is that even legal? I thought kennels had to be certain sizes. These innocent dogs do look miserable. I wish someone local would organize a group to try to help them.
. Print
HSUS Guidelines for the Operation of an Animal Shelter
Dogs
Dogs confined in either cages or kennels should have room to move about normally.
Stainless-steel or custom-made individual cages for indoor holding should follow these minimum size guidelines:
large dogs (more than 50 pounds): at least 4 feet by 6 feet, or 24 square feet
medium-sized dogs (36-50 pounds): at least 4 feet by 5 feet, or 20 square feet
small dogs (10-35 pounds): at least 3 feet by 4 feet, or 12 square feet
Dogs confined in cages should be exercised in runs at least 4 feet by 10 feet twice daily or walked on a leash for at least 20 minutes twice daily.
Kennels with runs, whether fully enclosed or indoor/outdoor, should follow these minimum size guidelines:
kennels—4 feet by 6 feet
runs—4 feet by 8 feet
Ideally, each dog should have his or her own kennel. Animals who share kennels must be evaluated for compatibility and monitored closely. Each should have ample room to stand, lie down, turn around, and sit normally. This requires a minimum area of 4 feet by 4 feet for each dog. A shared 5-foot by 10-foot kennel should hold no more than two large, two medium, or three small dogs. Print
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HSUS Guidelines for the Operation of an Animal Shelter
The HSUS’s guidelines for the operation of an animal shelter.
PLANNING YOUR FACILITY
Housing
Stress reduction and disease control are your goals when determining how to separate animals.
Separate animals as follows:
dogs from cats
sick or injured animals from healthy animals
puppies and kittens from adult animals (unless the puppies and kittens are nursing)
males from females (especially those in season)
aggressive animals from all others
nursing mothers and their young from all others
Animals who are stressed or recuperating from injuries or illness must have a quiet place to rest during their recovery period. If kept awake, stressed, or forced to be on guard because of close proximity to barking dogs, their recovery period may be lengthened or otherwise compromised.
Floors
Floors should slope toward drains to prevent the accumulation of water in the runs.
Floors should be made of concrete that has been sealed (making it nonporous) or some other nonporous material that can be disinfected.
Walls
Walls between kennels should be at least 4 feet high and should prevent water and waste material from flowing from kennel to kennel.
For walls between kennels, use one of the following materials:
cinder block, sealed and painted with epoxy to make it nonporous
metal embedded in a concrete base
a fiberglass kennel unit, including floor, sides, and gate
tile or glass block
Chain-link fencing or wire mesh should extend at least 2 feet above kennel walls. Runs should be covered with fence fabric or wire mesh to contain dogs who might jump or climb fences or who are in season, are aggressive, or are quarantined.
Drainage
The shelter must have drainage and plumbing adequate to handle the heavy load of daily cleaning.
Drainage for each run should prevent cross-contamination of other runs by urine or feces.
Heating and Cooling
Heating elements embedded in kennel floors are ideal. The temperature at floor level for infant, sick, or injured animals should be at least 75°F; for healthy adult animals, 65-70°F.
Heating, cooling, and humidity-control systems should be used for the comfort of the animals, the staff, and the visiting public.
A means of circulating the air must be in operation in all kennel areas. Ideally, the air in the building should be exchanged with outside air eight to twelve times per hour.
Security
Install a security system to protect the building. Some examples are perimeter fencing, an alarm system, or at a minimum, deadbolt locks for all outside runs in combination with outside lighting.
Secure all controlled drugs in a manner that, at a minimum, meets both federal and state laws and regulations.
Install a fire-alarm system and institute an emergency plan to prepare your staff for a potential evacuation of animals from the shelter.
Dogs
Dogs confined in either cages or kennels should have room to move about normally.
Stainless-steel or custom-made individual cages for indoor holding should follow these minimum size guidelines:
large dogs (more than 50 pounds): at least 4 feet by 6 feet, or 24 square feet
medium-sized dogs (36-50 pounds): at least 4 feet by 5 feet, or 20 square feet
small dogs (10-35 pounds): at least 3 feet by 4 feet, or 12 square feet
Dogs confined in cages should be exercised in runs at least 4 feet by 10 feet twice daily or walked on a leash for at least 20 minutes twice daily.
Kennels with runs, whether fully enclosed or indoor/outdoor, should follow these minimum size guidelines:
kennels—4 feet by 6 feet
runs—4 feet by 8 feet
Ideally, each dog should have his or her own kennel. Animals who share kennels must be evaluated for compatibility and monitored closely. Each should have ample room to stand, lie down, turn around, and sit normally. This requires a minimum area of 4 feet by 4 feet for each dog. A shared 5-foot by 10-foot kennel should hold no more than two large, two medium, or three small dogs. Print
Email
Share
Subscribe
HSUS Guidelines for the Operation of an Animal Shelter
The HSUS’s guidelines for the operation of an animal shelter.
PLANNING YOUR FACILITY
Housing
Stress reduction and disease control are your goals when determining how to separate animals.
Separate animals as follows:
dogs from cats
sick or injured animals from healthy animals
puppies and kittens from adult animals (unless the puppies and kittens are nursing)
males from females (especially those in season)
aggressive animals from all others
nursing mothers and their young from all others
Animals who are stressed or recuperating from injuries or illness must have a quiet place to rest during their recovery period. If kept awake, stressed, or forced to be on guard because of close proximity to barking dogs, their recovery period may be lengthened or otherwise compromised.
Floors
Floors should slope toward drains to prevent the accumulation of water in the runs.
Floors should be made of concrete that has been sealed (making it nonporous) or some other nonporous material that can be disinfected.
Walls
Walls between kennels should be at least 4 feet high and should prevent water and waste material from flowing from kennel to kennel.
For walls between kennels, use one of the following materials:
cinder block, sealed and painted with epoxy to make it nonporous
metal embedded in a concrete base
a fiberglass kennel unit, including floor, sides, and gate
tile or glass block
Chain-link fencing or wire mesh should extend at least 2 feet above kennel walls. Runs should be covered with fence fabric or wire mesh to contain dogs who might jump or climb fences or who are in season, are aggressive, or are quarantined.
Drainage
The shelter must have drainage and plumbing adequate to handle the heavy load of daily cleaning.
Drainage for each run should prevent cross-contamination of other runs by urine or feces.
Heating and Cooling
Heating elements embedded in kennel floors are ideal. The temperature at floor level for infant, sick, or injured animals should be at least 75°F; for healthy adult animals, 65-70°F.
Heating, cooling, and humidity-control systems should be used for the comfort of the animals, the staff, and the visiting public.
A means of circulating the air must be in operation in all kennel areas. Ideally, the air in the building should be exchanged with outside air eight to twelve times per hour.
Security
Install a security system to protect the building. Some examples are perimeter fencing, an alarm system, or at a minimum, deadbolt locks for all outside runs in combination with outside lighting.
Secure all controlled drugs in a manner that, at a minimum, meets both federal and state laws and regulations.
Install a fire-alarm system and institute an emergency plan to prepare your staff for a potential evacuation of animals from the shelter.
Dogs
Dogs confined in either cages or kennels should have room to move about normally.
Stainless-steel or custom-made individual cages for indoor holding should follow these minimum size guidelines:
large dogs (more than 50 pounds): at least 4 feet by 6 feet, or 24 square feet
medium-sized dogs (36-50 pounds): at least 4 feet by 5 feet, or 20 square feet
small dogs (10-35 pounds): at least 3 feet by 4 feet, or 12 square feet
Dogs confined in cages should be exercised in runs at least 4 feet by 10 feet twice daily or walked on a leash for at least 20 minutes twice daily.
Kennels with runs, whether fully enclosed or indoor/outdoor, should follow these minimum size guidelines:
kennels—4 feet by 6 feet
runs—4 feet by 8 feet
Ideally, each dog should have his or her own kennel. Animals who share kennels must be evaluated for compatibility and monitored closely. Each should have ample room to stand, lie down, turn around, and sit normally. This requires a minimum area of 4 feet by 4 feet for each dog. A shared 5-foot by 10-foot kennel should hold no more than two large, two medium, or three small dogs.
Too bad every shelter doesn’t have to follow those!
Those kennels are seriously narrow! The accommodations look like something out of “Hostel”.
Poor beautiful souls.It just makes my stomach churn.such horrible conditions.
Every time someone puts the H$U$ ‘guidelines’ up, I wonder what good they think it does. H$U$ is a bloated sack of “What’s-in-it-for-me?” jerks that are always ready to ‘rescue’ animals from individual owners who don’t live up to their ‘high standards’ but they NEVER say a word, let alone actually DO anything to help animals in ‘shelters’ that are in need of serious, kick-some-ass assistance to house and treat animals in anything more than than the absolute bare minimum of care.
This is from the Floyd County Animal Control website where they say they have won the 2005 National Animal control OUTSTANDING Agency Award. There’s a graphic of a dog rolling on the floor laughing (I’m not making that up), which would have made me smile ironically, but really, it’s not funny.
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th goals and objectives need more attention paid than just some aspiration.
Goal and Objectives
The Goals and Objectives of this agency shall be used to provide a direction for its employees and to establish a level of service to which we should all aspire.
To provide services which aid in containing free-roaming animals to prevent human injuries and the spread of diseases.
To provide services which help prevent animals from becoming nuisances to the community or a burden to its citizens.
To provide a physical facility which will house lost unwanted and neglected animals in a humane manner.
To provide health care services to those animals housed to prevent suffering.
To provide comprehensive and responsible adoption/rescue programs.
To provide unwanted, sick or injured animals with humane euthanasia, according them dignity and respect during that act.
To strive to improve performance through education and dedication to our mission.
To create public information and education programs, which will assist the members of this community in becoming more responsible pet owners.
Yes, I realize they likely don’t have much money, but for cryin’ out loud, there’s got to be a better building somewhere in the county that could be repurposed so the animals have room to move, a better floor (hell, concrete and a towel would be an improvement) to stand/lay on, and better lighting. I refuse to even try to believe that any human who goes into that place wants to continue to see runs like these. And, yes, I did see that some animals (cats and some lucky dogs) are housed in stainless lab cages – which are definitely better than these runs – and that there are some people who are really trying to get some animals out alive, but jeez Louise, those squeezebox runs MUST be replaced.
This is uncalled for ppl that treat animals in this to be turned in and something needs to be done.
The way the girl peed for all she was worth when she was outside makes me think she’s housetrained and had been holding it a long time. And she’s wearing a decent leather collar – I hope her people care about her and are looking for her, poor dear.
shared again on FB
The Adopt A Pet site says that poor girl is no longer available. Does that mean that someone pulled her or that she has been killed?
I called the shelter today… and of course it’s closed. I wish I had called yesterday. I also called “Ronda” the other contact number listed… and you guessed it… no answer, not even an option to leave a message. If anyone had been paying attention to the FB listing of these animals they would have seen that there was help in the works.. people were stepping up. Now the dog is “no longer listed.. pick another dog”!! What is this?
And you know what will likely be the Floyd County pound’s response to this article? Stop posting any pictures of the dogs, and kill them all instead. Floyd Co AC is a hellhole that needs to be closed down. Can’t believe the place is still open, and the same staff in place there that has always been there. Citizens of Floyd County, how does this feel to know that stray or lost dogs are kept in this kind of facility in the county where you pay taxes for the Mission Statement to actually be true, and they try to house these strays in a comfortable, sanitary, safe environment. If you don’t care about the other animals consider this: Your Fluffy could get lost and end up being kept here, in this dirty unsanitary environment, to come back to you a very sick pet, IF you find him before he is PTS.
You would think someone from the Atlanta area could take pictures. Downtown Atlanta is about 60 miles away!
I do not call those kennels comfortable! Does any politician in that county visit the animal shelter? I would like them to sleep and stand on a wire crate. Is there any room for those dogs to even turn around? If not, I consider it animal cruelty!
I just saw the post on the first dog shown above. She and her sibling have both been pulled. Both are believed to be pregnant. The name of the rescue has not been posted yet.
Well thanks for that bit of good news.
I just hope there will be good news on the other dog as well…
I just got word on the second dog (white adult dog).. This is the post!
Reni Totherescue.. SHE IS SAFE!!! ALL DOGS NOT LONGER LISTED ARE SAFE! NO LISTED DOG KILLED THIS WEEK!
This is what I posted.
Dot Kirby.. Reni.. What does “NO LISTED DOG KILLED THIS WEEK”.. were there dogs killed that weren’t listed?
Did Reni reply? I’d just like to know for sure that that sweet dog made it out and really is “safe”
that was the reply. I’m guessing she knows how and why the shelter posts update the way they do. The shelter was closed yesterday. I just checked the link. The dog is posted as being safe. Reni did not answer my question.
Thanks, Dot, for all your efforts getting involved. The more attention they get, the better.
Once again, YesBiscuit has kept everyone informed & has drawn attention to where it’s needed. Hell Hotels like these get away with it only because not enough folks know about it.
AMEN to that… and when I post a negative comment.. they don’t waste anytime deleting it. Wish they were that quick to help save the animals
While many do not take to well to anything HSUS the posted guidelines do not stray too far from USDA Dept of Ag guidelines. A letter writing campaign to the local Dept of Ag may force this shelter to clean up their act. Until shelters embrace the the no kill model, animals will continue to be euthanized. For many of these animals, these filthy, tiny kennels will be the last thing they experience in life.
I get clostrophobic just looking at these cells. Yikes! It’s psycological hell for anyone (dogs) forced to be there.
I’ve fostered 2 sets of puppies from Floyd all came with parvo. I don’t take from Floyd anymore. Just my personal decision.
I’ve fostered 2 sets of puppies from Floyd. All came with parvo. I no longer take Floyd puppies. Maybe if the mom dog gets out before puppies are born it will help although you can’t vaccinate during pregnancy. (sorry if this comes through twice)
This may be the most awful shelter Ive ever seen, and Ive seen some bad ones! So glad to know these 2 made it out alive (yea?)!