Groups may come to rescue of pets at shelter

Columbia County Animal Care and Control might soon have some new rescue groups willing to take unadopted animals from the shelter.

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Three Atlanta-area rescue groups requested an agreement to foster and adopt out animals from the shelter, said Pam Tucker, county Emergency and Operations Division director.

The groups that requested information and the contract are: Mini Aussie Rescue and Support, of Dacula, Ga.; Society of Humane Friends of Georgia Inc., of Lawrenceville, Ga.; and Adopt A Golden of Atlanta.

"That'll open up more doors," said Ricki Dean, chairwoman of the Animal Care and Control Advisory Board. "That's great."

Tucker said she sent the contracts to the groups in mid-May. "All they have to do is sign it, attach a copy of the current rescue license and a list of all the people that they authorize to pick up for them," she said.

The shelter currently has contracts with three rescue groups -- Columbia County Humane Society, Happy Tails Rescue and Molly's Militia -- to take unadopted animals at no cost from the shelter.

Animals are held at the shelter for five days to give owners a chance to reclaim them. If not returned to their owners, animals deemed adoptable are put up for adoption. A list of unadopted animals is e-mailed to the rescue groups at least once a week, said Linda Fulmer, the shelter manager.