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Category: Press Release

Backyard Breeding: Regulartory Nuisance, Crime Precursor

Read this wonderful academic paper “Backyard Breeding: Regulartory Nuisance, Crime Precursor,” by LIsa Milot, which explores the effects of personal dog breeding on local communities. Milot said backyard breeding can lead to a population of stray animals, which fills shelters and negatively impacts the taxpayer-funded facilities. This is certainly a situation in DeKalb County that we would like to mitigate. Learn More

Initiatives

DeKalb has been working hard to address the needs of our furry friends and to identify solutions to the current challenges. Most recently, the administration’s FY23 Mid-Year Budget included $941,752 to the Animal Services’ operating budget.  This included $200,000 to establish a pilot program to encourage the fostering of animals and to aid pet owners in reducing the number of animals surrendered to the shelter; $144,000 for a mobile veterinary clinic to provide veterinary services to areas most in need; funding to purchase an upgraded camera system; additional cages for the animal shelter; and, an additional $600,000 for Lifeline Animal Project’s contract to operate the animal shelter. I also worked to include $25,000 in this budget amendment specifically for a needs assessment and community outreach related to the expansion of the animal shelter. The general fund contributions to capital also include $1.6 million for an overflow facility to address the shelter overpopulation issue. In addition to this action, I learned that the administration ordered a specialized vacuum cleaning system designed for kennels to aid in cleaning. DeKalb County also committed to additional cleaning throughout the week to augment the cleaning that the shelter currently provides. I know these funding allocations and immediate action will support the work of Lifeline Animal Project in managing the crisis overpopulation and cleaning issues at DeKalb’s shelter. Recently, I introduced a resolution urging the administration to adopt the DeKalb County Animal Services Advisory Board’s (DCASAB) 5-point Plan for a Better Tomorrow that outlines five goals to address many of the challenges you have shared with my office. This item will be on the November 8th Board of Commissioners meeting agenda. Lastly, I am excited to announce that the D2 office is hosting a State of DeKalb Animals Address in 2024 to share information, learn from experts, and strategize for the future of our pets. We are looking for volunteers to help plan this important event. Please email Sonia Tyler at sstyler@dekalbcountyga.gov if you are available to help. Stay tuned! MEDIA CONTACTS Sonia Tyler District 2404-371-2863 (o)404-922-6853 (c) sstyler@dekalbcountyga.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:February 8, 2024 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears Announces the State of DeKalb Animals Address on Wednesday, April 10 at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse in Decatur Decatur, GA –Today, Commissioner Michelle Long Spears of DeKalb County’s District 2, in collaboration with a volunteer-led design team, announces the State of DeKalb Animals Address on Wednesday, April 10 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse in Decatur. This is the kickoff to a series of events aiming to address, discuss, and tackle the animal services challenges facing DeKalb County. The State of DeKalb Animals (SoDA) initiative envisions a robust, thriving animal welfare system where no animal faces abuse or neglect and zero companion animals remain homeless through the implementation of DeKalb County Animal Advisory Board’s “Common Sense Solutions: Plan for a Better Tomorrow,” which was adopted by the DeKalb Board of Commissioners last year. “DeKalb County has a responsibility to ensure the well-being of all animals within our community,” said Commissioner Spears. “Through SoDA, we are taking a collaborative, multi-faceted approach to address our animal services challenges and ultimately create a future where no animal is a victim of violence or neglect.” We are delighted and honored that Dr. Gregory Berns, Distinguished Professor of Neuroeconomics at Emory University, agreed to serve as our keynote speaker for the day. He is the New York Times bestselling author of What It’s Like to Be a Dog and How Dogs Love Us and recognizes that “initiatives like SoDA are crucial for promoting animal welfare andresponsible pet ownership. By educating the public, implementing practical solutions, and fostering collaboration, we can significantly improve the lives of animals in DeKalb County,” said Dr. Berns. The State of DeKalb Animals (SoDA) initiative acknowledges the difficulties of managing the animal services and shelter issues in our community, including high intake, reduced adoptions, staffing shortages, and overcrowding at our shelter. The “Common Sense Solutions” plan offers a practical and comprehensive approach to improving the lives of animals, managing the shelter population, and supporting pet ownership. ### Media Note: About State of DeKalb Animals (SoDA): The State of DeKalb Animals initiative envisions a compassionate community in which every animal is valued, protected, and loved by fostering collaboration, innovative programming, and practical solutions. Website: Visit our website at www.michellelongspears.com to learn more about the State of DeKalb Animals Address. Social Media: Follow us on social media for updates on SODA and other DeKalb County news: Facebook Instagram 5 Point Plan Please review the Common Sense Solutions: Plan for a Better Tomorrow (5 point plan) provided by the DeKalb County Animals Services Advisory Board. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2kOz6_AR0o Come join us for a discussion on the current state of animal issues in DeKalb County! Join Now SoDA Speakers Dr. Gregory Berns Distinguished Professor of Neuroeconomics at Emory University – New York Times bestselling author Claudine Wilkins, Esq Renowned animal law expert. Speech Topic: Connection between Animal Problems & People Problems Moderator Commissioner Michelle Long Spears Meet the Panelists Gloria Dorsey Gloria J Dorsey, DVM, MPH (She/Her) Vice President of Community Education and Advocacy, Atlanta Humane Society. Gloria J Dorsey is a native of Jacksonville, FL and has been on staff at the Atlanta Humane Society for 27 years and is currently the Vice President of Community Outreach and Advocacy. She was previously the Vice President of Medical Services for more than 18 years. A graduate of Tuskegee University in Alabama, Dr. Dorsey received a B.S. Degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Upon completion of her Doctorate Degree, she completed a master’s degree in public health – Epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Claudine Wilkins, Esq Renowned animal law expert. Claudine is an animal law expert and experienced public speaker. She has assisted many municipalities with reviews of their animal legislation and has even authored some of the existing state-wide legislation. The D2 office is in the process of hiring Claudine to review

Emory Village: A Journey of Community Development and Placemaking

Photo of Emory Village Plaza – Courtesy of David Payne Emory Village, a vibrant hub nestled in the heart of DeKalb County, has a rich history of community involvement and development. Over the years, it has evolved into a unique place that combines the charm of a village with the amenities of a modern community. The creation of the Emory Village Zoning Overlay over a decade ago marked a significant milestone in the Village’s development. This zoning overlay was designed to guide development in a way that preserved the Village’s character while encouraging growth and improvement. However, as Emory Village continues to evolve, there is a growing need to amend the current overlay to better facilitate “placemaking” – the process of creating quality places that people want to be in. David Payne, Emory Village Alliance board member and Associate Vice President of Emory University, reflects on this evolution, stating, “DeKalb County made significant investments in Emory Village that added the roundabout and streetscape improvements, but over the last 10 years since that investment, no meaningful new commercial development has occurred in the Village. Hopefully, the changes being contemplated to the Village zoning overlay will prompt this development.” For the past ten years, the District 2 office has been a proud supporter of the Emory Village Alliance (EVA) and its annual Open Streets Emory Village street festival, an event that brings the community together for a day of fun and celebration and highlights the vibrant spirit of Emory Village. Today, Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, the District 2 office, and EVA are advocating for changes to the Emory Village Overlay. These amendments aim to foster greater community involvement and development while preserving the unique village character that makes Emory Village so special. One exciting development that Commissioner Spears has been actively supporting is the opening of SAVI market in the Village. Working closely with DeKalb’s Law department and Planning department, Commissioner Spears has been instrumental in facilitating the opening of this new business, which will be a wonderful addition to the Village. In addition to supporting new business development, Commissioner Spears is also committed to environmental stewardship in Emory Village. She recently supported the “Clean Up the Creek” concert, an event held in the Village to support the creation of a Rainwater Garden at Peavine Creek, with a $5,000 allocation. This initiative aims to assist with rainwater management and erosion control, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable development in Emory Village. Todd Hill, Chair of the Board at the Emory Village Alliance, appreciates this effort, noting, “Commissioner Spears knows the importance of establishing a harmoniously designed, safe and comfortable public realm to foster place making in public spaces. EVA is the volunteer entity that looks after the eleven-acre district to continuously improve the Village. All of us on the EVA Board are grateful for her leadership and engagement to strategize how to fund and implement our projects to improve and enhance Emory Village as the Living Room of Druid Hills.” As Emory Village continues to grow and develop, maintaining the charm and character that make it unique is a key priority. As we look to the future, we are excited about its potential to be a place where people love to be. Emory Village can become more than just a place – it can become a community hub.

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