Samantha Shelton, An Animal Advocate of The Top Order

On October 11, 2001, as she was getting ready for work one morning, Samantha Shelton noticed in her backyard a stray mother cat with three babies. Little did she know that the simple act of taking these cats into her home and seeking adoption possibilities for them, would spur her into founding and directing what is now Georgia’s largest no-kill cage-free shelter.

I sat down to talk to Shelton and learned much about her desire not only to help cats and dogs, but to serve our community. 

Patch: What inspired you to start Furkids? 

Shelton: When I first contacted a pet adoption agency to pick up the cats in my backyard, they stated they were unable to help because they received many calls like mine every day. Surprised by their response, I began studying the pet over population in Georgia. I started volunteering with the adoption agency which was housed in a local pet supply store. When a new space to house pet adoptions became available at another store, I suggested that they use that space as well but the organization didn’t feel like they could do that. I was at that time in a unique period of my life in which I had the option to put time into helping save these animals. So, in Feb 2002, at the Perimeter Petsmart, I began my own pet adoption organization; Furkids. 

Patch: Did your venture begin to expand quickly?

Shelton: There was one cat the first day and 12 the next. Growth was steady. Now we operate nine full-time adoption centers; some in PetSmart and some in Petco. The stores donate the space to us which is a blessing. We don’t have the funds to advertise, so partnering with these stores helps us both.

Patch: How do you feel is the best way to address the pet over population problem in Georgia? 

Shelton: Education is the key. People must spay or neuter their pets. For example, many people still allow their un-neutered cats to roam free and produce up to three litters of kittens a year. Then they bring these kittens to a shelter where they are often euthanized or the owners stand outside of a store and give the kittens away to more people who may not neuter them. We spay or neuter every animal that comes into our shelter. 

Patch: What do you like best about running the shelter?

Shelton: I love serving the community. Our organization is very relational. We have over 300 active volunteers. We enjoy having, and are the only shelter in Georgia that allows, children of all ages to volunteer. Many local colleges send groups of students here to help. 

Patch: Tell me some things about the shelter where we are now.

Shelton: In 2004 my uncle gave me a $5,000 donation. That was enough to allow me to make this dream a reality. We were then able to lease this space with his and other generous donations. We opened our doors in April 2006. Since then we’ve added a part time vet and surgery suite. 

Patch: What are your hopes for the future?

Shelton: My dream is to start a capital campaign to raise money to have a shelter with a public clinic so that we can offer low cost vaccinations and spay and neutering services. We want to do what ever we can make it easier for people to keep their pets. This year is Furkids 10th anniversary. We will be having a big celebration later this spring. I’d like nothing better to announce this campaign at that event.

Below are some other interesting facts about Furkids from their website www.furkids.org where you will find information about their work and the upcoming 10th Anniversary Celebration. Donations are welcome.

•  Furkids operates Georgia’s largest no-kill cage-free shelter, housing 275 cats per day.
•  An additional 120 cats and dogs are cared for in our extensive foster care network.
• Furkids operates a house exclusively for FIV+ cats.
• Since their inception, Furkids has rescued over 6000 animals.
• Proceeds from their successful thrift shop helps with the cost of caring for our animals.
• Furkids has earned 6 consecutive Best in America Seal of Excellence awards by Independent Charities of America.