Question 1

Clayton County Humane Society

Accepted Answer

A New Chapter for Clayton County Humane Society

Dear Friends of Clayton County Humane Society,
Over the last several months, CCHS has faced significant challenges, and as a result, many animals — and the people who love them — have felt uncertainty. I want you to know that Clayton County Humane Society is not alone. At this time, my organization, Street Paws, is helping manage and support CCHS operations to ensure the animals continue to receive care, stability, and advocacy.
Our immediate focus is simple and urgent:

Keeping animals safe and cared for
Rebuilding trust with the community
Restoring the support system CCHS has relied on for so many years
This work cannot be done without people like you.
How you can help right now:
🐾 Adopt 
Adopting saves lives and creates space for animals who desperately need it. If you’ve ever considered opening your home, now is a powerful moment to do so.
🤍 Donate via PayPal
Financial support allows us to provide food, medical care, and daily necessities for the animals currently in our care. Donations can be made quickly and securely through PayPal and make an immediate impact.
PayPal
🙌 Volunteer
CCHS needs compassionate, dependable volunteers to help with animal care, cleaning, enrichment, events, and more. Whether you can give a few hours a month or more, your presence matters.
Clayton County Humane Society has meant so much to this community over the years. While support has declined recently, the heart of this mission is still here — and with your help, it can grow strong again.
Thank you for loving these animals and for being part of their story. More updates will be shared as we continue stabilizing operations and planning for the future. For now, please know that your involvement — in any form — makes a real difference.
With gratitude and hope,
Kristi Butler
Street Paws
Supporting Clayton County Humane Society

Please review our FAQ, if  you do not find an answer to your question email info@streetpaws.org.

Question 2

What is the adoption fee for a dog?

Accepted Answer

$250-$500, the fee is listed in each dog's bio.

Question 3

What is the adoption fee for a puppy?

Accepted Answer

$300-$500, the fee is listed in each puppy's bio.

Question 4

What does the dog/puppy adoption fee cover?

Accepted Answer

The fee covers spay/neuter, DA2PP vaccine (age appropriate) heartworm test/treatment if over 6 months old, deworming treatment, Bordetella vaccine, Rabies vaccine, flea treatment, microchip, and registration. Records will be emailed/mailed to you soon after adoption.

Question 5

What is the adoption fee for a cat?

Accepted Answer

$100-150, the fee is listed in each kitty's bio.

Question 6

What is the adoption fee for a kitten?

Accepted Answer

$125-150, the fee is listed in each kitty's bio.

Question 7

What does the cat/kitten adoption fee cover?

Accepted Answer

The fee covers spay/neuter, FIV, FeLV testing, FVRCP vaccine (age appropriate), Rabies vaccine, deworming treatment, flea treatment, microchip, and registration. Records will be emailed/mailed to you soon after adoption.

Question 8

Why are your adoption fees so high?

Accepted Answer

We have experimented with different fees over the years and have settled on amounts that we believe are extremely reasonable. The cost that we incur is far more than the price we charge, so we do not make money on an adoption. Some of our dogs and cats require thousands of dollars in lifesaving veterinary care. Let’s take a closer look! Most animals that come to us have not been previously altered. We spay or neuter every single animal before it goes up for adoption. If you were responsible for the cost of altering your newly adopted pet, you would spend a minimum of $50 (for cats) or $100 (for dogs). Most veterinarians charge much more. Our pets also receive heartworm and flea protection while they’re in our care. That’s a cost of about $20 every month. Our pets are microchipped before going up for adoption. That’s a cost of $25. Adoptable animals are all vetted upon admission and receive their first round of shots, amounting to approximately $35. The highest adoption fee you’ll find for one of our adoptable animals is $400. That is what we charge for puppies and designer-breed dogs. The prices drop from there: $250-300 for an adult dog, $150 for a kitten, $125 for an adult cat. The fees for long-term residents are occasionally discounted, so you’ll find some dogs for $250, and some cats have a 2-for-1 adoption fee. So technically, you can adopt 2 long-term cats for just $125 total. If those prices aren’t reasonable, I don’t know what is!

Question 9

How long does it take for you to respond to my application?

Accepted Answer

Our volunteers also work full-time jobs and work very hard to respond to all adoption applications within 24 to 48 hours. Once the application is received, we call to do a veterinary reference. Sometimes we cannot reach them easily as they are busy, or they need you to call to release your records. Once approved a coordinator will reach out to schedule an interview. Every effort will be made to schedule a meet and greet and adoption as soon as possible.

Question 10

Where can I view photos of the animals available for adoption?

Accepted Answer

https://www.streetpaws.org/home/adopt

Question 11

Do you ever offer sales?

Accepted Answer

Occasionally yes. Typically, during kitten season. Pets are an expensive, long-term commitment! Food, vet visits, flea and tick protection, heartworm protection, boarding, grooming, training, and toys. It adds up! We think our adoption fees are very, very reasonable. These dogs and cats are worth every penny!

Question 12

What are the requirements to be an approved adopter... Or what are you looking for in a home?

Accepted Answer

·         You must be at least 21 years of age to apply. 
·         Your current animals must be up to date on rabies (additional vaccines are preferred) 
          and spayed or neutered. Dogs should be current on heartworm medications. Flea 
          prevention or treated yard.
·         Our pets may require an appropriate animal companion: your adoption coordinator 
          will review with you. 
·         Please note that some of our cats, kittens, dogs or puppies are a part of a bonded 
          pair, which cannot be separated. 
·         Applicants are required to sign a binding adoption contract.

Question 13

How can I adopt?

Accepted Answer

We love that you want to meet one of our pets but before that happens we ask that each potential adopter completes our preliminary adoption application, it does not commit you to adopting but rather helps us get to know you and make sure you are the right home for the pet you are interested in. We know it is long, remember, we do not know you and we do not know if you will be the person that takes awesome care of a pet or if you are the person that may harm one. Please bear with us.

Once your application is approved, we will then set up a scheduled time with our Adoption Director to meet the pet.

Question 14

Why do you require a previous vet history?

Accepted Answer

Many of our pets arrived in less than good health and have gone through long-term medical treatment.   We do everything in our power to revitalize and restore these dogs and cats who didn’t ask to be neglected and abandoned.  The only way we can get to know you as a pet parent is to look at your past, and your vet history with your pets, to know if routine exams, vaccinations, and heartworm prevention are part of your caregiving.

Question 15

Why do I have to fill out the adoption application first before I can meet the pet?

Accepted Answer

Your application will tell us alot about what type of pet you may be looking for and we want to make sure you are meeting the best pet for YOU.

As a volunteer only rescue we are not always available to meet you at any given time, so it is best that we schedule a time to meet you.

We also have to make arrangements with the foster family, if the pet is in foster care. We also have very limited shelter staff that is not always on site or may not be the proper volunteer to assit with meet and greets.

Question 16

How do I surrender a pet?

Accepted Answer

If you own a dog/cat that you must re-home, you may send us a complete description of the pet including its age, vet history, temperament, a digital photo, and the reason you can no longer keep the pet to info@streetpaws.org. If you have time to work with us to place your pet, we can offer a courtesy post. To apply go to streetpaws.org/forms and click on the Courtesy Post. Most of the time our rescue/foster homes are full. Rarely can we help the occasional owner surrender. Feel free to post the animal in need on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StreetPaws.

Question 17

I found an animal... what do I do?

Accepted Answer

A lot of people think that we just don’t want to take in strays when they reach out to us but that is not the case at all. There are Georgia Department of Agriculture regulations we must follow that say we can’t act as an animal control. By law, we are not able to take in stray or abandoned animals. To ensure the best opportunity for a potential owner to be reunited with their lost animal, you are required to inform your local Animal Control where the animal was found, that you have a lost or abandoned animal in your care. They will hold the animal to help a potential owner be reunited, and many of our local county shelters also offer a friendly finder program where you can temporarily foster an animal during this time, but you must notify them about the animal. They must be taken to the animal control facility in the county in which the animal was found. Why? Well, if you lost your dog, the first place you would go is your local animal control facility, right? That facility will hold strays for a few days (Henry County is 4 business days, others are less) to give the owner a chance to be reunited with his or her pet. After the stray hold, the property rights are severed, and pets become the property of the county. If an owner does not reclaim it, the pet is then available for rescue, adoption, or euthanasia. During that holding period, the pet cannot be adopted or put to sleep. This ordinance also applies to dogs and cats that were adopted out from Street Paws. If a Street Paws alumni is found abandoned or stray, he or she must first go to animal control. HOWEVER, once the holding period is up, we will ALWAYS go pick them up and bring them back to Street Paws.

Question 18

I need assistance with veterinary care (sick pet, spay/neuter, vaccines)

Accepted Answer

We do not have a veterinarian on staff. We can help you find local veterinary care. We do have a spay-neuter program while funds allow. You can apply at streetpaws.org/forms and search for the spay/neuter form. You can also visit www.spotsociety.org for a complete list of resources in the metro Atlanta area. When funds are available in our Chevy’s Fund outreach program we may be able to assist low-income families. You can send a detailed email to info@streetpaws.org for more information on assistance.

Question 19

There are a lot of stray cats in a particular area I frequent. What can be done?

Accepted Answer

TNRF (Trap, Neuter, Return, Feed). We are not currently taking on any new colonies. We loan out cat traps and can provide advice on how to do this yourself. It takes a village...

Question 20

My grandma, aunt, uncle, friend, etc... has been feeding a horde of cats for years. We now have hundreds of cats that are sick. I need you to remove the cats now.

Accepted Answer

We are a small rescue doing everything we can do to help animals. We are often at maximum capacity. We do not have the resources to rehome “a horde of cats”. We suggest TNRF (Trap, Neuter, Return, Feed) we are not currently taking on any new colonies. We loan out cat traps and can provide advice on how to do this. It takes a village...

Question 21

I give to the Humane Society every year!

Accepted Answer

That’s wonderful! But do you give to Street Paws? We are not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA, PETA, the Georgia Humane Society, the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, or any other animal welfare organization out there. They are great organizations, don’t get me wrong. But they just aren’t our organization. Unless you’re writing that check out to Street Paws (and mailing it to the right location), we aren’t receiving your donation. Many people believe if they donate to these larger organizations that it is shared among rescues, but it is not. We are all individual nonprofit organizations. A Humane Society and animal rescue are the same thing.

Question 22

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Street Paws welcomes children of all ages to volunteer in various roles. If you are under 16, you will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian each time. Activities for smaller children are limited. You can apply here: https://www.streetpaws.org/home/getinvolved.

Question 23

I can't volunteer but would like to help. What can I do to help?

Accepted Answer

Without donations from our supporters we could not do what we do so THANK YOU! Donations can be monetary, cat food, dog food, cat litter, medication, toys, dog crates, sharing our social media posts, etc.

Question 24

Do you euthanize?

Accepted Answer

Here is our official policy regarding euthanasia: We do not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for the animals once they are in our care. We only humanely euthanize those animals suffering from significant medical issues or that pose dangerous behavior concerns. So, what does that mean, exactly? Well, it means that sometimes, we cannot admit an animal because we just do not have room. There are only so many kennels and so many foster homes. When we are full, we are full and until animals get adopted, we won’t have space for more. We are committed to finding homes for all our adoptable animals, no matter how long it takes. If an animal is suffering and we’ve done all we can, we will humanely euthanize that animal to end its pain. Euthanasia is NEVER a first choice.

Question 25

If you don't take in strays, how do you receive the animals you adopt out?

Accepted Answer

Great question! Many of our animals arrived abandoned and homeless (we notify our local animal control and follow their stray process) or are “owner surrenders.” For whatever reason, someone may have to give up their dog or cat, so they choose to bring it to Street Paws because they trust us to find it a wonderful new home. Some of our animals come from rescue missions where we assist on puppy mill raids or hoarding cases, we work with animal control to ensure proper procedures are followed. After receiving proper medical attention and behavior evaluation, those pets are then placed up for adoption. Some of our animals also come from rescue groups we work with and others from animal control facilities (kill shelters) in our area to take in animals when they are at capacity and the animal is at risk for euthanasia.

Question 26

How do you work there? I'd cry every day.

Accepted Answer

You must not have been to our shelter! Our cats have access to the entire building and get to do what they want. The others are all in foster homes where they are part of the family until their furrever family comes along.  All are warm, well-fed, and extremely well-loved! We cry when they leave, we will forever miss them. They are treated like they are our pets. Everything is clean, and I always hear people comment about how little it smells. These dogs and cats are happy, excited, healthy, and friendly. You don’t have to worry that if you don’t adopt ALL OF THEM, they’ll get put to sleep, they’re with us until they find homes! The more we hand over to amazing new lives, the more lives we can help save.

Question 27

Can you put me on a waiting list?

Accepted Answer

We do not have a waiting list, nor do we place any animals on hold. We have limited volunteer resources, and we are just not able to keep up with this currently. Our animals are adopted as the best fit for the family and pet (must be approved by an adoption coordinator), we try to always do this as first come first served but with litters of puppies you will find the picture you fell in love with is not the one you typically take home. If you’re looking for something specific: check the website every day. As new animals go up for adoption, they are added to the website. If you see something that you can’t live without, don’t delay. Puppies, pure breeds, and small-breed adults always go insanely fast–sometimes within hours.

Question 28

What do I do if my pet is missing?

Accepted Answer

Please be sure to visit Henry County Animal Control at 527 Hampton Street in McDonough (or your local animal control) to look for your missing pet.  GO DAILY in person, do not rely on a phone call or email!

Question 29

I already have pets, what else can I do to help?

Accepted Answer

We always need dedicated and responsible Volunteers. If you do not wish to volunteer inside the shelter or at off-site events perhaps you would enjoy community fundraising projects. There is something for everyone to do. Let us know if you have a special skill that would be beneficial or if you have something you would like to do to help. Sign up here:  https://www.streetpaws.org/home/getinvolved.

Question 30

How does Street Paws raise the money to operate?

Accepted Answer

Much of our revenue comes from our Annual Spayghetti dinner held in March each year and our 2 smaller events Toasting for Charity in August and Pawtoberfest at Senoia Beer Company in October. The rest of the revenue comes from donations from individuals and small grants that we are able to qualify for. A very small portion comes from our adoption fees, but they usually never exceed our medical bills.

Question 31

What are the hours of your shelter?

Accepted Answer

Due to a lack of volunteers, we are open by appointment only. To set up an appointment email info@streetpaws.org. For Volunteers - We are open 7 days a week to scheduled volunteers. A staff person is onsite daily. Please be sure to coordinate with our Volunteer Manager to ensure someone will be on hand to assist you.

We are hoping that in the near future we can offer Saturday hours.

For Adoption Event days/times visit streetpaws.org/events

Question 32

My group wants to volunteer. Whom do I contact?

Accepted Answer

Please contact our volunteer manager at info@streetpaws.org and she will explain the volunteer options and schedule your visit.

Question 33

What will be my duties as a shelter caretaker?

Accepted Answer

We need help providing fresh food and water, cleaning litterboxes, sweeping, mopping, dusting, dishes, etc. We also need help socializing with the cats. We have other needs such as yardwork that need to be done.

Question 34

How long will my training take?

Accepted Answer

We hold a volunteer orientation that is approximately 2 hours. Shelter training is approximately 1-2 hours.

Question 35

How do I schedule my volunteer time?

Accepted Answer

If volunteering at our shelter, our Volunteer Manager will be responsible for confirming your place on the schedule. If volunteering at an adoption event at Pet Supermarket, your time will be coordinated by the Volunteer Adoption Event Coordinator.

Question 36

Who do I contact if I cannot keep my scheduled volunteer commitment?

Accepted Answer

We appreciate as much notice as possible. Please call the number provided to you at orientation or email the volunteer manager at info@streetpaws.org.

Question 37

What does being a "foster based" rescue mean?

Accepted Answer

We rely on foster families to open their home and hearts to a rescue dog/cat until that dog can be adopted into their permanent furever home.

Question 38

If I become a foster for one of your rescue dogs/cats, do I have to adopt the dog/cat?

Accepted Answer

No. You will temporarily house the dog/cat in your home while we help promote the dog/cat for adoption and in turn you have now saved two lives. The dog/cat you took into your home and another dog/cat in the community who needs help. Street Paws will provide everything you need to care for your foster pet.

Question 39

Can I bring my dog/cat to you if I can no longer take care of it?

Accepted Answer

No, not exactly. We do not typically have an open space to take in a new pet and will need to locate a foster family first. We can only assist if a foster family can be secured.

Question 40

I have sent you an email or message through Facebook messenger, why have I not heard back from you?

Accepted Answer

We are a volunteer only rescue. That means we have a small team of AMAZING people who donate their personal time to help run this rescue therefore we are juggling many things in our lives and may not be able to respond as quickly as needed at times. Be patient please, we will get back to you as soon as possible.  If you have not heard from us within 72 hours, please send another message.

Question 41

Where can I drop off donations for you?

Accepted Answer

Street Paws
109 Bethlehem Rd. 
Locust Grove, GA 30248
There is a donation bin out front

Question 42

I would like to sponsor an event or an adoption fee with your rescue, what do I do?

Accepted Answer

THANK YOU! Please send us an email and our sponsorship volunteer coordinator will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Question 43

Do you have local events that I may attend?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We typically have an annual fundraiser called the Street Paws Annual Spayghetti Dinner every March, Toasting for Charity in August, and Pawtoberfest in October. Check our social media pages and website for announcements.

Question 44

I have a question that's not listed here.

Accepted Answer

Please submit your question here for more information:
https://www.streetpaws.org/home/contact.

Frequently asked questions