Atlanta Humane Society: How to Adopt, Volunteer, and Get Help With Pets in Atlanta

If you live in or around Atlanta, Georgia and you care about animals, you’ve probably heard of the Atlanta Humane Society. Whether you’re looking to adopt a pet, need low-cost veterinary services, or want to get involved with animal welfare locally, this is one of the city’s most recognizable organizations.

This guide walks you through what the Atlanta Humane Society does, where it’s located, and how people in Atlanta typically use its services.

What the Atlanta Humane Society Does for Atlanta

The Atlanta Humane Society (AHS) is a long-standing, nonprofit animal welfare organization focused on:

• Pet adoptions
• Sheltering and care for homeless animals
• Spay/neuter and basic veterinary services
• Community outreach and education
• Support for pet owners in crisis, when available

It serves Atlanta and surrounding metro communities, working alongside other local groups, rescue organizations, and municipal shelters.

AHS is not a government agency. It operates on donations, fees for certain services, and community support, so availability of specific programs can change based on resources and demand.

Atlanta Humane Society Locations & Contact Info

The Atlanta Humane Society has historically operated more than one location in the metro area. As of recent years, the primary public-facing operations have been concentrated at a main campus within the city and, at times, at satellite or partner locations.

Because hours and services can shift, the safest approach is to:

• Call ahead before visiting
• Confirm hours and services for the day
• Ask which location handles the specific service you need (adoption, surrender, spay/neuter, etc.)

📞 General Phone (commonly used main line):
(404) 875-5331

When you call, you can typically:

• Check adoption hours
• Ask about surrender appointments
• Ask about spay/neuter or clinic availability
• Confirm which location to visit

You can also search “Atlanta Humane Society” with your preferred maps app to see current addresses, hours, and directions from your exact location.

Adopting a Pet From Atlanta Humane Society

For many Atlanta residents, the first interaction with AHS is through pet adoption.

What You Can Usually Adopt

You can typically find:

• Dogs and puppies
• Cats and kittens
• Occasionally small animals (such as rabbits or other small pets), depending on intake

The exact mix of animals changes every day based on who’s been adopted and which animals have just arrived.

Typical Atlanta Humane Adoption Process

While details may change slightly over time, the basic flow usually looks like this:

1. Browse available pets

   • You can view many adoptable pets online or in person at the shelter.
   • Online listings often include age, breed or mix, size, and basic behavior notes.

2. Visit the shelter

   • Staff or volunteers can introduce you to animals you’re interested in.
   • You may fill out a short questionnaire about your home, lifestyle, and experience with pets.

3. Meet-and-greet

   • You’ll spend time with the animal in a meet-and-greet area.
   • If you have a resident dog, some shelters encourage or require a dog-intro meeting.

4. Adoption counseling

   • An adoption counselor may review:
     • Housing situation (rental vs. owned; any pet restrictions)
     • Time and budget for pet care
     • Expectations around training, exercise, and medical needs

5. Adoption fee & paperwork

   • Adoption fees help cover part of the cost of housing, medical care, and spay/neuter.
   • Fees often vary by age, species, or special promotions.

6. Take your pet home

   • Many animals are already spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated to a basic level appropriate for their age.
   • You’ll receive medical records and post-adoption instructions.

Tips for Atlanta Adopters

• Plan transportation: If you use MARTA or rideshares, think through how you’ll get home safely with a crate or carrier.
• Check pet policies: Many Atlanta apartments and condos have breed, size, or number restrictions.
• Factor in weather: Atlanta summers are hot and humid; think about your home’s cooling and yard shade for dogs.

Low-Cost Vet and Spay/Neuter Services

The Atlanta Humane Society has frequently offered low-cost spay/neuter and basic medical services, especially focused on making essential care more accessible.

Services may include:

• Spay/neuter surgeries 🐾
• Core vaccinations for dogs and cats
• Microchipping
• Sometimes flea/tick or heartworm prevention, as resources allow

How to Access These Services in Atlanta

Because demand is high in metro Atlanta:

1. Check availability first

   • Many spay/neuter surgeries are by appointment only.
   • Some vaccine or microchip clinics might be special event days.

2. Ask about income or residency requirements

   • Certain discounted services may prioritize:
     • Low-income pet owners
     • Residents of specific counties or ZIP codes
     • Pets adopted from local shelters

3. Arrive early

   • If there are walk-in clinics, lines can form quickly, especially on weekends.

4. Consider other Atlanta-area options

   • If AHS is fully booked, ask staff about other low-cost clinics and mobile services in the metro area.

Surrendering a Pet to Atlanta Humane Society

Sometimes Atlanta residents need to rehome a pet due to life changes. AHS may accept owner surrenders, but typically not on a pure walk-in basis.

How Surrender Usually Works

• Appointment required
  Most of the time, you must call ahead and schedule a surrender time.
• Intake questions
  Expect questions about:
  • Pet’s age, breed or mix, and history
  • Health and vaccination status
  • Behavior with people, children, and other animals
• Surrender fee
  Some shelters request a fee to help cover the cost of caring for the animal.

Alternatives in Atlanta Before Surrender

Before surrendering to AHS, many owners in Atlanta also consider:

• Rehoming directly with a trusted friend or family member
• Posting through reputable rehome platforms or local rescues (following safety guidelines)
• Checking with other shelters or rescue groups in or near Atlanta
• Asking AHS if they know of support programs (food banks, temporary boarding resources) that might help you keep your pet

Lost and Found Pets in Atlanta

Atlanta Humane Society may serve as a resource for lost or found pets, but it is not the only or official lost pet authority. In Atlanta, lost pets are typically handled through a combination of:

• Local municipal animal control shelters
• Private humane societies and rescues
• Online community boards and social media groups

If You Lost a Pet in Atlanta

1. Call Atlanta Humane Society
   • Ask if your pet has been brought to their shelter.
2. Contact your county animal services
   • For example, in the City of Atlanta and parts of Fulton County, animal control services may be handled by designated county or city shelters.
3. Visit shelters in person
   • Animals may not always be recognizable from a brief phone description.
4. Post flyers and check online groups
   • Focus on your neighborhood and adjacent areas; many Atlanta neighborhoods have active pet-lost/found channels.

If You Found a Pet

• Check for an ID tag or microchip
  • Many veterinarians and shelters, including AHS, can scan for microchips.
• Report the found animal
  • To AHS and your local county shelter.
• Take safe precautions
  • Approach unknown animals carefully, especially dogs that may be frightened or injured.

Volunteering at Atlanta Humane Society

If you’re in Atlanta and want to volunteer with animals, AHS often has structured volunteer programs.

Common volunteer roles include:

• Dog walking and enrichment
• Cat socialization
• Cleaning and kennel support
• Adoption event assistance
• Administrative or outreach support

What to Expect as an Atlanta Volunteer

• Application and orientation
  You’ll typically complete an application and attend an orientation session.
• Age requirements
  There are usually minimum age limits and guidelines for minors, often requiring a parent or guardian.
• Scheduling
  Volunteers often sign up for recurring shifts, which helps the shelter plan staffing.

Donating to Support Animal Care in Atlanta

Many Atlanta residents and businesses support the Atlanta Humane Society through financial donations, supply drives, or fundraising events.

Ways people in Atlanta commonly give:

• Monetary donations
• Wish-list items such as:
  • Pet food
  • Blankets and towels
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toys and enrichment items
• Workplace or school drives
• Including AHS in planned giving or memorial donations

If you’re planning a large donation or a group effort, it’s usually wise to call first and ask what items are most needed at that time.

Education and Community Programs

AHS often participates in or hosts education programs for the Atlanta community, such as:

• Humane education for kids and teens
• Workshops on responsible pet ownership
• Events focused on adoption, fostering, or seasonal topics (for example, pet safety in Atlanta’s heat)

These programs can be a good fit if:

• You’re a teacher or youth group leader looking for animal-focused content
• You’re a parent wanting to involve your child in animal care and volunteerism
• You’re new to pet ownership and want guidance on basics

Program availability changes, so calling the main number is usually the most direct way to learn what’s currently offered.

How Atlanta Residents Typically Use Atlanta Humane Society

Here’s a quick overview for everyday situations:

Practical Next Steps for Someone in Atlanta

If you’re ready to interact with the Atlanta Humane Society, here’s a streamlined action list:

1. Adopting?

   • Look up current adoptable pets and note the animal IDs you’re interested in.
   • Call (404) 875-5331 to confirm adoption hours and any special requirements.

2. Need vet or spay/neuter services?

   • Call ahead to ask about:
     • Eligibility
     • Fees
     • Scheduling
   • Have your pet’s age, weight, and vaccination history handy.

3. Rehoming or surrendering?

   • Schedule a surrender appointment by phone.
   • Ask if AHS knows of alternatives or support programs that might let you keep your pet.

4. Interested in volunteering or donating?

   • Call to ask about current volunteer openings and donation needs.
   • If you’re organizing a drive at work or school, coordinate with AHS so items match their current priorities.

By understanding how the Atlanta Humane Society operates in and around Atlanta, you can make more informed choices about adopting, caring for, or helping animals in the city.