Building a Nine-Acre Sanctuary for Atlanta's Vulnerable Animals

Every year in Atlanta, Georgia, more than 5,000 vulnerable animals find a second chance at life through a sprawling nine-acre sanctuary known as Furkids. Operating as a large-scale, no-kill shelter, the organization pulls animals from local control centers, providing comprehensive medical care and a safe haven until they can be placed in permanent homes.

The driving force behind this massive rescue operation is founder Sam Shelton, who walked away from a lucrative corporate career to dedicate her life to animal welfare. Under her leadership, Furkids has grown into a holistic care environment. The campus features walking trails, water features, and a newly constructed cat shelter, with ground recently broken on a dedicated dog shelter and medical center.

The sanctuary's success relies heavily on a dedicated network of volunteers and staff. From fostering animals to the unglamorous but essential task of cleaning litter boxes, these individuals ensure the daily operations run smoothly. Together, they step in during the most vulnerable moments of an animal's life, transforming a history of neglect or illness into a future with a loving family.