In Georgia, many counties have no animal shelters or animal services. The shelter in Soperton, is a relatively new shelter. It’s simple, no-frills, basically outdoor kennels, but thanks to the efforts of ACOs Michelle, Antwon, and Brandon, it is a true shelter and the dogs who land there are well cared for. Despite the day of our visit being a Sunday, all three made time for us and met us at the shelter.

The shelter was hit hard by the fall hurricane, but a grant from Atlanta Humane replaced the damaged roof and enabled them to pour concrete. The exterior fence still has vast holes in it, which leaves the dogs vulnerable and also means that any dog who can climb the six-foot fence panels that make up the kennels could take off for the hills (or the runway at the airport behind the shelter).

Antwon told me that even when dogs do get loose, though, they don’t go anywhere. There is a nice big play yard, and we spent time with several of the dogs catching pictures and videos, and watching Brandon work his magic with the dogs.

Brandon didn’t even like dogs before he took the ACO job a year ago, but to watch him now, you’d think he’d been around them all his life; he’s that much of a natural. He didn’t hesitate to get in the grass to wrestle with them or run up and down the yard with them, and they clearly loved it.

Michelle has been an ACO for four years. Prior to taking the job, her ex-husband was the ACO, and she had helped him do his job. She was working as a court clerk. When he left his job, she stepped into the role since she already knew it so well. She has a huge heart for dogs, showering all of them with affection and looking for ways to improve their care and outcomes.

Antwon has been an ACO for a year, but likes it, and has already taken home two dogs. He and Brandon also work for the Street Department. The shelter used to be under the Police Department but is now under the Street Department. This is only the second shelter we’ve found that falls under the street department.

Antwon says that Michelle is the boss ACO. She smiled and didn’t deny that. She is the person who makes the vet appointments, posts to social media, and works to get the dogs adopted or out to rescue. She does everything she can to avoid having to euthanize but acknowledged that sometimes there are no other options.

The shelter handles about 250 dogs a year steadily. The shelter is open intake and accepts owner surrenders as well as the strays the ACOs pick up. They respond to all the animal calls for the city of Soperton and the county of Treutlen.

The kennels were clean and airy, and all the dogs were friendly and happy to see all of us. They have sixteen kennels, but only had seven dogs on the day we visite, which is good since summer had just begun, and Michelle says that’s their busy season.

The shelter is outdoors, and while there is a cover, there is no other protection from the elements. Each kennel is relatively spacious and has a doghouse (many of which had been damaged in the storm).

They sometimes get help from two local rescues (Diamonds in the Ruff and Lucky Dog Rescue Ranch). Nancy at Diamonds helps to network their dogs to rescues, and Julie at Lucky Dog has taken dogs for them.

The county does have a foster program all set up and ready to go, but so far they have found no fosters. They’d love to have fosters to get some of the more vulnerable animals into homes.

Every dog we met seemed highly adoptable. There weren’t even very many big dogs there. We had fun playing with several young dogs that seemed like Boston terrier mixes, plus an adorable lab/hound mix who had just arrived a day or two before, emaciated and likely full of worms. He was very shy, but he warmed up to us in no time, looking for cuddles, and was soon playing fetch with Brandon—clearly a retriever.

Adoptions are only $35, and thanks to a small grant from the Georgia license plate program (which is almost depleted) and a helpful local veterinarian, the dogs are spayed or neutered before they are adopted. The county budget, like most municipal budgets, only covers the basics.

This small shelter is nothing fancy, but Michelle, Antwon, and Brandon take great care of the animals and enjoy the work. I can’t imagine this is an expensive endeavor, and the cost is shared between the county and city. I wish all the counties in Georgia would take a page from the Soperton-Treutlen book.

It may not be a lot, but it’s more than many. The compassion and care of this committed staff make all the difference.

The shelter doesn’t get a lot of donations, but recently set up an Amazon wishlist. If you’d like to support their work, consider shopping their Amazon Wishlist.

Until each one has a home,

Cara

If you want to learn more, be sure to subscribe to our email list to get the latest stories and solutions delivered to your inbox. And help us spread the word by sharing this post with others. Visit our website to learn more.

You can also help raise awareness by following/commenting/sharing our content on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Who Will Let the Dogs Out: Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues was published in January of 2025. It is filled with stories and ideas to help everyone be part of the solution. You can buy a hardback or paperback copy for yourself and/or buy a copy for a shelter or rescue through our website. It is also available on Amazon in paperback and ebook. We are seeking opportunities to present the ideas from the book and facilitate discussions on how we can collaborate to find solutions for our shelters. If you have a dog-hearted group that would like to connect, contact Cara@wwldo.org.

To see our Emmy-nominated, award-winning short documentary, Amber’s Halfway Home, click here.

Did you know we have a podcast? I’m working at getting regular episodes up, including the audio version of the new book, and interviews with shelter heroes we meet. Find the podcast on Spotify and other podcast services.

For more information on any of our projects, to talk about rescue in your neck of the woods, or partner with us, please email cara@WWLDO.org.

For links to everything WWLDO, including volunteer applications, wishlists, and donation options, check out our Linktree.