What is Save Our DeKalb Animals (SODA)?
The Save Our DeKalb Animals (SODA) initiative envisions a compassionate community in which every animal is valued, protected, and loved by fostering collaboration, innovative programming and practical solutions.
How are we doing this?
The District 2 team is dedicated to fostering collaboration, policy change, and community-wide support for animal challenges. We work closely with shelters, rescues, advocates, and partners to promote responsible pet ownership through education and innovative programs. Together, we’re advocating for animal protection and implementing practical solutions by following the DeKalb County’s Animal Advisory Board’s 5 point plan: Common Sense Solutions for DeKalb Animal Services and creating a compassionate community where every animal is valued and loved.
D2 SUPPORTED EVENTS in 2024
State of DeKalb Address, April 10th at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse Downtown Decatur
Legislation/Legal
LOCAL LEGISLATION
- Cost of Care Resolution- Passed April 2024
- Authorizes County Attorney to seek recovery of costs incurred by the County for impoundment and care of animals impounded because of criminal investigation or proceedings.
- Bonding Ordinance- Submitted to Law Department November 2023 (on hold)
- Litter Permit Ordinance-in process
- Requires unlicensed dog, cat, and rabbit breeders to get a permit for each litter
- Transient Sales Ordinance- Passed 10/8/2024
- Prohibits the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in parking lots, along roadsides, and other transient locations.
- Retail sales ban- in process- Humane Society of the United States assisting with legislation language
- Bans the sales of dogs and cat at retail establishments (does not apply to rescues)
- Tethering ordinance update- in process- UGA Law assisting with legislation language
- An update to the current tethering ordinance in the DeKalb County code.
STATEWIDE LEGISLATION
The D2 office is working to support the following legislative priorities on the State level:
- Supports legislation prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and pet rabbits in poorly regulated transient locations such as parking lots, flea markets and roadsides
- Supports legislation adding cockfighting to Georgia’s dogfighting statute and adding increased penalties for bringing a minor to a dogfight or cockfight.
- Supports legislation amending the existing educational loan repayment program for veterinarians to include veterinarians who agree to practice shelter medicine for a specified period of time.
Stay tuned for the many actions that are in the pipeline that we are unable to share as of yet. We’re proud of the work we’ve done and grateful for all the help. If you are interested in volunteering for the Save Our DeKalb initiative or becoming a part of the Steering Committee, please contact Sonia at District2@dekalbcountyga.gov.
JOIN THE STATE OF DEKALB ANIMALS STEERING COMMITTEE
- Are you interested in joining the Steering Committee? Apply here:
- Please send to District2@DeKalbCountyGA.gov
- Here is a list of locations we need representation from: Lithonia, Tucker, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Clarkston, Stonecrest, Redan, Doraville, Avondale Estates, Scottdale, Pine Lake, Gresham Park, Belvedere Park, Panthersville, Candler-McAfee