The Local Cause

As of 2022, there are currently over 36,000 stray dogs in shelters across the state of Georgia. These numbers are astronomically high and continue to grow. While most believe that the abundance of stray dogs is due to lack of sterilization, there are multiple contributing factors that lead to the overcrowding of shelters. Situations such as hoarding and puppy mills cause a massive rise in shelter counts with each intake rescuing multiple animals sometimes at an upwards number of several dozen from one location. In recent years, shelter intake statistics have risen even higher due to the largest rate of owner surrender seen in over a decade. Most owner surrenders have recently been a result of dogs who were adopted during the pandemic but have since been turned in for various reasons.

Domestic animals rely on the compassion and care of humans to provide for their needs and fulfill them with love. Whether a dog grew up on the streets, was born in a shelter, a victim of poor care and overcrowding or an owner surrender – each dog deserves a loving home.

When considering the needs of rescue dog; necessary veterinary intervention, nutrition and rehabilitation first come to mind. Additional care factors including the upkeep of facilities, purchase of needed equipment and overall funds to prioritize the adoption of these animals are often not front of thought. Before any other need, rescuing the dogs and working to get them adopted are the core focuses of any rescue.

The concern of incoming funds to address the monetary needs of the animals is what can be the most frustrating part of operating a rescue. The Street Dog Dash 5k recognizes the amount of effort and funds it takes to keep both community supported and independent rescues afloat. Our 100% volunteer based team works to host the annual Street Dog Dash 5k event to raise funds to support both local and international animal rescue efforts so those who are working on the ground are able to operate with financial support from donations.