The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia (HSNEGA), a vital safety net for homeless and vulnerable animals across Northeast Georgia, maintained no-kill status in 2025, according to Best Friends Animal Society’s annual data report. This milestone signifies that HSNEGA saved 90% or more of the dogs and cats that entered its care over the past year.
HSNEGA sustains its lifesaving momentum through a comprehensive, community-focused approach to animal welfare. Central to this achievement are robust foster and volunteer networks, structured behavior and enrichment activities that keep shelter animals healthy and happy, and frequent community adoption events that connect pets with loving families.
Equally important to maintaining no-kill status is proactive population management. HSNEGA works tirelessly to curb community pet overpopulation through targeted initiatives such as its No More Litters program. Under this program, every kitten or puppy is spayed or neutered before placement, and HSNEGA also spays the mother dog or cat to break the cycle of unwanted litters. To further reduce barriers to responsible pet ownership, the organization provides accessible, low-cost veterinary services and hosts free community vaccine clinics throughout the region.
“Maintaining our no-kill status is a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, fosters, and community partners who fight for every life that enters our doors,” said Sandy Holiday, Executive Director at HSNEGA. “Achieving a save rate above 90% isn’t a one-time milestone, it requires continuous effort, resources, and community action. Whether through adoption, volunteering, fostering, or donating, our community’s ongoing support is what allows us to keep saving lives every single day.”
Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national nonprofit whose goal is to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill, recognizes this achievement as a positive step forward and one that can be replicated by other shelters in Georgia.
According to Best Friends’ 2025 data, more than two out of three U.S. shelters are now no-kill, and many more are within steps of that benchmark. However, collective action remains critical to achieve a day when no dog or cat dies in a shelter simply because they don’t have a safe place to call home. Anyone can help by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and advocating for homeless pets.
