The nonprofit that manages animal services for Fulton and DeKalb counties is leaving its longtime Avondale Estates location and opening a new center in northern DeKalb.

LifeLine Animal Project had a facility on Lake Street in Avondale for 16 years and provided rehab for at-risk shelter animals. LifeLine also runs the main county shelters in Fulton and DeKalb.

Now, it is expanding its operations with the Oct. 5 opening of the Anisa Telwar Kaicker Community Animal Center, an adoption center and clinic that will also serve as the organization’s headquarters.

Thyme is a cat up for adoption at a LifeLine shelter.

Credit: stephen a

icon to expand image

Credit: stephen a

“Although many exciting opportunities lie ahead ... leaving the first and only home we've known for 16 years and leaving this wonderful community will make our move bittersweet,” LifeLine founder and CEO Rebecca Guinn wrote in a letter to Avondale Estates residents.

The new 25,000-square-foot center, named for an avid animal lover and LifeLine supporter, will include a public, full-service veterinary clinic and an adoption center. It is located at 3180 Presidential Drive near Doraville and Spaghetti Junction.

It will house almost 300 animals and reduce some of the overcrowding issues that LifeLine currently faces at its Fulton and DeKalb shelters. It will increase LifeLine’s annual adoption capacity by 2,000 animals, the nonprofit said.

This floor plan shows the layout of LifeLine's new center.

Credit: LifeLine Animal Project

icon to expand image

Credit: LifeLine Animal Project

Fulton and DeKalb counties contract with LifeLine to manage their animal services and run the shelters. Since the organization took over in 2013, it has significantly lowered euthanasia rates in its shelters.

» RELATED: Heartwarming free pet adoptions stem from stark reality in shelters

LifeLine is planning a grand opening celebration at the new center on Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with festivities including food, music and more. And, of course, puppies.

Follow DeKalb County News on Facebook and Twitter 

In other news:

The K-9 officer is back and better than ever.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The driver of a Honda who refused to be identified (left) was uninjured, as was a Cobb County bus driver, when the Honda rear-ended the school bus in 2010. The Honda driver was charged with following too closely. No students had yet boarded the bus. (John Spink/AJC 2010)

Credit: John Spink

Featured

Pinky Cole's Ponce City Market location in Atlanta, Georgia, 'Bar Vegan', during lunch time on April 5, 2024. (Jamie Spaar for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Credit: Jamie Spaar