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

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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

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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.

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