Rebecca Guinn Receives Leadership DeKalb Award and Meet DeKalb Animal Services's Pets of the Week

This week, I want to give a shout out to someone who works tirelessly and nearly round the clock to help save the lives of animals, LifeLine Animal Project’s very own Founder and Executive Director Rebecca Guinn.  Rebecca was recently selected as the 2013 recipient of the Leadership DeKalb Sue Ellen Owens Award for creating a permanent and positive legacy of initiative and vision in the community. 

Rebecca didn’t start out in the animal field.  She was a criminal defense attorney who left her successful law career and founded LifeLine in 2002, after visiting a shelter where the majority of animals had been euthanized. Thinking there had to be a better way for a community to address its homeless pet population, she implemented a long-term strategy to redefine metro Atlanta’s practices and philosophies regarding animal welfare. 

A catalyst for change, Rebecca also drafted the original version of HB 788, Grace’s Law, which went into effect on December 31, 2010, making it illegal to kill shelter pets in gas chambers in the state of Georgia. 

Under Rebecca’s leadership, LifeLine has become a nationally-recognized, non-profit organization, performing 65,000 free and low-cost spays/neuters, bringing Trap-Neuter-Return to Atlanta (saving over 20,000 cats), rescuing thousands of special needs animals through our no-kill shelter, and providing free vaccines to thousands of pets belonging to low-income Atlantans.  Further, since taking over the management of DeKalb and Fulton County Animal Services earlier this year, LifeLine has lowered the euthanasia rates substantially. 

We are proud of our fearless leader for receiving the Sue Ellen Owens Award, and hope you’ll join us in saving more animals by adopting one of our Pets of the Week!

DeKalb Animal Services Pets of the Week:  Congress and Linguine

Meet Congress, a Small Dog with a Big Personality!

Congress is an adorable four-year-old Beagle with a fun and silly personality.  He is super friendly with people and gets along great with other dogs.  If you’re looking for an outgoing guy who is a joy to be around, then Congress is your boy!

Linguine, the Beautiful and Friendly Kitty

Linguine is a stunning one-year-old tortoiseshell kitty with beautiful markings.  She loves to be cuddled and loved on, but she’s also very playful too.  Linguine has beautiful green eyes and gets along with other cats.

To meet Congress or Linguine, please drop by the shelter, email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165.  To view other great animals available for adoption, visit www.dekalbanimalservices.com. 

About DeKalb Animal Services

Managed by LifeLine Animal Project, DeKalb Animal Services provides humane care for the animals at the shelter, veterinary care including spay/neuters, pet adoptions, animal reclaims, volunteers, foster homes and rescue group coordination.  To learn more, please visit www.dekalbanimalservices.com.