08/26/2026
🐾 Newton County Animal Services Is NOT a Rehoming Service 🐾
We understand that life circumstances can change, and there are legitimate situations where an owner may need help finding a new home for their pet. When those situations arise, we will always do our best to provide resources and assistance.
But the reality is that our shelter has limited space, and that space is needed for lost, stray, abandoned, and vulnerable animals in our community. Every kennel occupied by an owner-surrendered pet can mean one less space available for an animal who has nowhere else to go.
We often hear, “Aren’t you going to help?”
Yes—we want to help. But helping does not always mean taking an animal into the shelter.
When you choose to bring a pet into your home, you take on the responsibility of caring for that animal. If circumstances change and you can no longer keep your pet, finding a safe and appropriate new home is part of that responsibility.
We are seeing more and more owner surrenders simply because someone “doesn’t want to deal with it.” That is not a responsibility that should automatically be passed on to an already overcrowded shelter.
🐶 What Can You Do to Rehome Your Pet?
Step 1: Visit Your Veterinarian
Make sure your pet is:
Microchipped
Vaccinated
Groomed
Spayed or neutered
These steps can greatly increase your pet’s chances of being successfully rehomed.
Step 2: Take a Great Photo & Write a Personal Bio
First impressions matter! Take a clear, appealing photo of your pet and write a fun, heartfelt bio.
Tell potential adopters about:
Your pet’s personality
Favorite activities
Energy level
How they interact with children
How they interact with other animals
Their ideal home
Step 3: Post Your Pet Online
There are many places where you can advertise your pet to potential adopters.
Consider:
Creating an account on Nextdoor
Joining local Facebook rehoming groups
Searching for groups such as “Lost/Found/Re-Home Pets,” “Atlanta Rehoming Petwork,” and “ATL Pet Owners”
Looking for local Covington/Atlanta-area rehoming groups
Listing your pet on Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet
Step 4: Contact Rescue Groups
Reach out to breed-specific rescue organizations or humane societies. The Georgia SPOT Society resource page can also help connect you with available resources.
If your pet is a specific breed, search for rescues that specialize in that breed. These organizations often have established networks, experienced fosters, and adopters who are specifically looking for those animals.
Step 5: Contact Newton County Animal Services
If you have exhausted reasonable rehoming options and still need assistance, please contact the Newton County Animal Shelter.
Our shelter has limited capacity because of its small size and current overcrowding. Owner surrenders are by appointment only. Please be patient with our staff as we work to find the best possible outcome for every animal.
In rare circumstances, due to space limitations or public safety concerns, alternative outcomes may be necessary.
🚨 NEVER ABANDON YOUR PET
Never abandon your pet on private or public property.
Abandoning an animal is a crime and may be subject to a $1,000 fine and/or jail time in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 4-11-15.1.
Leaving your pet behind does not solve the problem—it puts that animal at risk and takes valuable resources away from animals already in need.
We are here to help animals in crisis. We are here to help our community. But we cannot be the solution every time an owner simply no longer wants the responsibility of their pet.
Please exhaust every reasonable option before asking the shelter to take your pet.
Responsible pet ownership means being responsible through the difficult times, too. ❤️🐾
Thank you for helping us preserve our limited kennel space for the lost, stray, abandoned, and vulnerable animals who truly need us
