Pet Photos

covered a hungry mother cat and her three kittens quivering on her porch. Local animal control told Shelton the family would likely be euthanized, as they did not have space, but Shelton was determined to save the felines.

What started out as a cat rescue has now found homes for more than 50,000 animals in the metro area. Headquartered in Cumming with an adoption center in Peachtree Corners, Furkids has partnered with Petco and PetSmart to offer adoptions at several retail outlets in the area. Help is available

Both organizations work with the community to the benefit of our furry friends. Offering low-cost spay and neuter clinics and other pet assistance, they strive for a world where no pet is euthanized.

“For a lot of people, it might be a struggle to care for their animals, whether it’s at the beginning stages of adopting the animal and needing to get it spayed or neutered or vaccinated, or just learning what they need to do to be a good pet owner,” Frost said. “Maybe they have a five- or seven-year-old pet and it’s gotten an ear infection and they’re strapped for cash and they’re struggling,” said Frost.

Frost wants pet owners to know that there is help. Many organizations in the area offer training and low-cost solutions that can help pets and their people get through the rough patches — and many food banks offer pet food.

“Those are the kinds of programs that we really strive for,” said Frost. Planned PEThood has a rescue and adoption program that places 1,000 to 1,200 animals a year and its low-cost spay and neuter clinic has performed close to 80,000 surgeries since it began offering them.

“Where most clinics maybe do two or three a day, we’re going to do about 60,” said Frost, adding that the clinic doesn’t handle more specialized surgeries. ■

Planned PEThood

2860 Buford Hwy., Building F, Suite 2, Duluth 678-561-3491, pethoodga.org

Furkids Pet Adoption & Community Resource Center

4015 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Suite 390 Peachtree Corners furkids.org