AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – New data shows Augusta has the highest animal euthanasia rates in the state.

A group wanted to come in and help change that, but Augusta Commission members turned down a plan from Best Friends Animal Society on Tuesday.

The group would have provided the animal services agency with a veterinarian.

Commissioners turned it down to its all-or-nothing policy.

The interim city administrator said there could be challenges and legal concerns when it came to who would be responsible for the animals.

“The main reason is that it was presented as all or nothing, which would require Augusta to participate in every one of the services they’re promoting, one of which is staff-embedded program, which simply means Best Friends would have representatives,” said Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse.

Best Friends issued a statement Wednesday saying its offer was valued at close to $1 million.

Best Friends said the offer was devised to provide a holistic path to a 90% save rate for the shelter, vs. the current 53%.

The group says there’s still a chance for the offer to be approved at next week’s Augusta Commission meeting.

“The Augusta Commission now has an incredible opportunity to save the lives of dogs and cats and bring much-needed resources to the community at no cost to Augusta taxpayers,” said Gina Burrows with Best Friends Animal Society. “We just need the full commission to vote in our favor next week so we can begin to bring this much-needed help to the people and animals of Augusta.”

She encouraged the community to speak up and reach out to Augusta Commission members.

Best Friends Animal Society has come to Augusta on two occasions — once in 2018 and again in March, lobbying for a meeting with the shelter.

Data published on the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website shows Augusta euthanized more dogs in April than any other shelter in the state.

The data also shows Augusta Animal Services constantly ranks the highest in the state in euthanizations.

SEE THE DATA:

Now, local groups want commissioners to take a second look.

Last year, Augusta Animal Services euthanized almost 1,500 dogs, ranking the worst in the state.

One local rescue group says those numbers should serve as a wake-up call to a community problem.

“When we have a well-renowned group that has money and funding and people that can help, you know, it’s like, why do we want to be recognized as the worst in the nation or the state or wherever, you know, why do we want to keep down that path when we could get some things in place?” said Kathy Ellis with Hands to Paws Rescue.

Best Friends was looking to put things in order. Augusta Animal Services says they were a responsibility problem.

From May 1, 2023, to the start of the new year, Augusta Animal Services put down on average 134 dogs a month.

And those numbers haven’t dipped.

In March, there were 133, and 143 in April.

Augusta Animal Services Director James Hill said: “We’re not going to put out animals for adoption to have behavior issues. Um, so that’s why we have to euthanize.”

Those numbers, rescues say are a reflection of everyone.

Ellis said: “We could increase space at the shelter, but the problem is still there. And that’s getting people to understand, they need to spay and neuter. And to understand, you know, that there’s help out there.”

Augusta Animal Services is still out of a veterinarian.

“The fact that animal control doesn’t have a vet that can provide their needs, you know, on a staff basis, like they used to have before is huge. I mean, that’s going to impact, you know, thoroughly checking out animals when they come in to determine if they’re, you know, medically able to be adopted out into the public,” said Ellis.

Ellis says drawing vets to Augusta is becoming harder to do over the years.

One of Best Friend’s stipulations was that they would provide a veterinarian.

The denial of their services will go to a full vote next week.

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