Access to Care is a Human and Animal Imperative

At Good Mews Animal Foundation, our commitment to providing a no-kill, cage-free haven for cats has always gone hand in hand with public education. True animal welfare extends far beyond the walls of our shelter. To solve pet overpopulation and reduce shelter intake, we have to address a fundamental truth: to care about our community’s animals, we must care about our community’s people.

Providing access to care, including low-cost spay and neuter services, pet food pantries, and medical resources, is a common-sense solution to reducing county and state-wide shelter intake. But more than that, it’s a moral obligation. A compassionate society has a duty to not only help its neighbors survive, but thrive. When we uplift the people in our communities, we preserve the human-animal bond and protect the overall health of our society.

The Reality of Our Current Landscape

We can’t discuss animal overpopulation without looking at the severe economic strains facing families in Georgia.

• A Housing Crisis: Metro Atlanta recently made national headlines when data from Princeton University’s Eviction Lab revealed a staggering 142,000+ eviction filings.
• A Cost of Living Increase: Skyrocketing costs for housing, groceries, and basic utilities mean families are forced to make impossible choices. Even in seemingly wealthy, stable neighborhoods, there are families living behind closed doors with empty refrigerators, hemorrhaging money just trying to hang onto their homes. (United for ALICE, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Rising Euthanasia Rates: As human-related barriers mount, shelters feel that weight. Georgia Department of Agriculture data shows that statewide animal control euthanasia numbers surged from roughly 12,000 in 2020 to over 33,000 dogs and cats in recent annual reporting.

No one plans or expects to face a crisis where they can’t feed themselves or their family. It’s also a critical misunderstanding that systemic safety nets protect everyone. For instance, food stamps don’t cover pet food (SNAP), leaving families facing food insecurity completely stranded when trying to feed their companion animals. When a family is forced to surrender a pet due to financial distress or an eviction notice, it’s a tragedy for both the animal and the humans who love them.

Community Resource Directory

In the hopes we may be able to offer our community more options, we’ve compiled a list of essential safety nets. This collection pairs resources from the Good Mews library with specialized programs from external organizations to offer immediate support for both humans and their companion animals.

Resources From the Good Mews Library

Note: Please check each organization’s website or contact them directly before visiting, as hours, procedures, and locations may change.

• Click here to view our Free and/or Low-Cost Directory, for information like:
  • Low-cost vet care for personal pets
  • Low-cost vet care for outdoor cats
  • List of human services like food pantries, housing assistance, and clothing drives
• Click here to view our Events Calendar, for things like:
  • Virtual workshops
  • In-person workshops
• Click here for Behavior Research: We regularly update our blog with new articles related to cat care, behavior tips, and scientific insights.

Other Partner Resources We Love

• The Kitten Lady: Run by humane educator Hannah Shaw, this platform provides instructional videos, blogs, and extensive training guides dedicated entirely to saving orphan neonatal kittens.
• Maddie’s University: A free online learning platform offering professional development, training modules, and certifications for animal welfare advocates, shelter workers, and foster caretakers.
• Atlanta Humane Society’s Pets in Crisis Support: A critical safety net providing up to 90 days of temporary foster housing, essential supplies, and medical care for pets whose families are navigating housing instability, domestic violence, or a sudden health emergency.
• Alley Cat Allies: National advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of all cats, serving as an authority on TNVR methods and community cat legal protections.
• AHIMSA House: Georgia’s first and only specialized nonprofit dedicated entirely to helping victims of domestic violence and their pets escape abuse together by providing safety planning, legal advocacy, and emergency pet safe-housing.
• Feeding America: The nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, operating an extensive network of food banks to help families bridge financial gaps and secure nutritious groceries.
• United Spay Alliance: A nationwide grassroots network focused strictly on making low-cost, high-volume spay and neuter services universally accessible to eliminate economic barriers to veterinary care.
• National Housing Preservation Database: A detailed registry mapping federally assisted affordable housing properties nationwide, helping low-income families locate housing stability options in their community. 
• National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics: A critical healthcare network that ensures low-income or uninsured individuals have access to affordable, high-quality medical and dental services.

By ensuring our neighbors have access to the care they need, we can keep pets out of shelters, reduce euthanasia rates, and build a stronger, more compassionate community together.