Gwinnett residents attending an Animal Advisory Council meeting

Restore Independent Citizen Representation

Ask the Board of Commissioners to restore district representation, preserve specialized expertise, and protect the independence of Gwinnett’s Animal Advisory Council.

On August 4, 2026, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners repealed the existing Animal Advisory Council ordinance, ended every current member’s term, and replaced the seven-member Council with an entirely new five-member structure.

The decision came less than one month after more than 50 animal advocates attended the July 13 Animal Advisory Council meeting and three Council members began publicly pushing for greater transparency, accountability, and meaningful animal welfare reforms.

A special meeting had already been scheduled for September 3 to discuss important issues, including a countywide spay/neuter voucher program, shelter audit recommendations, budget proposals, and other animal welfare initiatives.

What Changed?

  • The Animal Advisory Council was reduced from seven members to five.
  • The previous structure providing citizen representation connected to each commission district was eliminated.
  • Only applicants meeting one of five prescribed eligibility categories may serve.
  • Many ordinary concerned residents and former Council members are no longer eligible to apply.
  • The Director of Community Services recommends candidates for appointment.
  • The Director of Animal Welfare & Enforcement—the department the Council is supposed to advise—will serve as the Council’s non-voting chair.

Why Independent Oversight Matters

An advisory council does not run the shelter or control the County’s budget. Its role is to identify concerns, study issues, gather community input, and make recommendations to elected officials.

That work requires independence.

When the department receiving the advice plays a significant role in shaping the Council’s membership and leadership, it raises serious questions about whether the Council can independently challenge the status quo and represent community concerns.

There Is Another Way

Specialized expertise and independent citizen representation do not have to be mutually exclusive.

DeKalb County’s Animal Services Advisory Board has 13 members. Each commissioner appoints one representative, while the elected County CEO appoints six additional members. The board elects its own chair and vice-chair.

Gwinnett could retain its five specialized positions while restoring direct citizen representation from every commission district and allowing the Council to elect its own leadership.

What We Are Asking the Board to Do

  1. Restore citizen representation from every commission district.
  2. Retain the five specialized positions as additional seats.
  3. Allow voting Council members to elect their own chair and vice-chair.

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