60+ local residents and animal lovers rally against system failing Bartow County animals

More than 60 local residents and animal lovers joined in one supportive voice at last weekend’s Bartow Animals Deserve Better Rally to urge Bartow County to fix its failed system which is responsible for killing more healthy dogs and cats at an ever-increasing rate, despite more and more of Bartow County’s taxpayers’ dollars being poured into animal welfare. Some $1.8 million in taxpayers’ money this year alone.

The Sept. 20 Bartow Animals Deserve Better Rally demonstrated a show of support from area residents, as well as organizers’ remarks that highlight the urgent concerns about the operations of Bartow County Animal Control and its partner, the Etowah Valley Humane Society (EVHS).

Together these entities have violated Georgia law, banned rescue groups, blocked public access to animals at this taxpayer-funded facility, failed to follow the law requiring public communications about animals in their care, received numerous unanswered complaints against the shelter vet for injuries and deaths caused during routine spay and neuter surgeries and are responsible for rising euthanasia rates despite available shelter space.

“We’re here today because something's gone deeply wrong in Bartow County. Our shelter - funded by $1.8 million of taxpayer money this year alone - is closed to the public. Even rescue groups with a proven track record of saving lives have been banned. And if you're a concerned resident asking questions, you are most often ignored. Meanwhile, healthy, adoptable animals are being euthanized, even when there's space for them,” said Bartow Deserves Better coordinator Julie Lagomarsino. “That's not just a policy failure. It's a moral one. The system is broken, and no one is being held accountable. Enough is enough!”

“Let me paint the picture,” she said. “Dogs and cats languish in cold, cement kennels with dogs barking all around them, 24 hours per day, waiting out their legal 3-day hold period. No adoption events. No foster programs. No volunteers allowed in to give these poor dogs care, comfort and love. Nothing. Then, when their time is up, many of these dogs…many…are euthanized - without a chance, without a lifeline.”

She went on to say, “This isn't how a community shelter should operate. And how no other shelter in the state operates. This isn't how taxpayer money should be spent. And this isn't how we treat lives that matter. We're not asking for anything radical. We're asking for transparency. For public access. For honest reporting about their operations. And for a shelter that works with the community - not against it.”

The Bartow Animals Deserve Better Rally attendees, and countless others who could not attend but who have expressed concern and frustration at this broken system, are calling for urgent reforms at EVHS and BCAC:

Specific Urgent Reforms

1. Comply With Georgia Law & Open Facilities – Post strays promptly so owners can reclaim pets, and open taxpayer-funded shelter to the public for a minimum of 30 hours per week
2. Ensure Transparency & Accountability – Show the public how $1.8M of taxpayer funds is spent, investigate the shelter vet for numerous injuries and deaths from routine spay/neuter
3. End Unnecessary Euthanasia – Stop killing healthy animals when animal kennels at the shelter are open and report all outcomes honestly
4. Reinstate Rescue Partnerships – Lift bans on rescue groups and restore communication with advocates so more animals can be saved
5. Restore Community Access – Host adoption events, foster programs and allow adoptions, volunteers and public access to BCAC
6. Boost Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Efforts – Recognize the county’s own progressive TNR ordinances and promote TNR as the humane approach to community cat colony management, as well as the management of owned outside cats that are not getting sterilized and vaccinated. Fund low-cost TNR appointments and assist residents’ TNR efforts.
7. Review & Reform the EVHS–BCAC Contract – Launch an independent review, address conflicts of interest and consider replacing leadership that has failed animals and taxpayers

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