The Human Problem: Who Is Responsible for Gwinnett's Animal Welfare Crisis?

After GAAA shared information about what residents can do when they find a stray dog, several commenters defended Gwinnett County's animal shelter and county government.

We welcome different perspectives. But the discussion raised an important question:

Some of the responses included:

• “This is a human problem.”
• “The county can only do so much.”
• “This is an US problem.”
• “The county only has what taxpayers give them.”
• “What more do you expect them to do?”
• “If you want change, go out and do something.”

These are questions worth examining, not arguments that should get lost in a Facebook comment thread.

In this series, we're examining the responsibilities of pet owners, residents, animal welfare organizations, shelter leadership, and county government — and how their decisions affect animals in Gwinnett.

Let's start with something we agree on.

THIS IS A HUMAN PROBLEM.

Yes. It absolutely is.

Humans abandon animals.

Humans allow pets to roam.

Humans fail to spay and neuter.

Humans irresponsibly breed animals.

Humans decided to restrict owner surrenders, leaving some residents with few options when they can no longer care for their pets.

Humans decided to implement managed intake and restrict when animals can enter a shelter described as open-admission.

Humans make decisions that leave stray animals in the community when they aren't picked up or accepted — where they can reproduce, be hit by cars, become injured or sick, suffer, and potentially create public-safety concerns.

Humans decided to dismantle the Animal Advisory Council while members were working on initiatives to improve animal welfare and address pet overpopulation.

Humans created volunteer restrictions that made it harder to photograph, video and advocate for shelter animals — restrictions that were ultimately lifted after concerns were raised.

Humans decide whether animals facing euthanasia receive a public last call and an opportunity to be saved.

Humans decide whether shelter animals receive meaningful walks, exercise, enrichment and time outside their kennels.

Humans decide the hours the shelter is open and whether those hours make it easier or harder for working families to adopt, reclaim and foster animals.

Humans decide whether to provide greater oversight and accountability. Animal mistreatment at this shelter was documented in 2021, yet leadership has expressed no interest in adding cameras in additional areas where animals are housed and handled.

Humans decide whether to prioritize and fund spay/neuter initiatives that could prevent unwanted litters and reduce shelter intake — or continue spending resources dealing with the consequences of pet overpopulation.

Humans decide whether to strengthen ordinances addressing irresponsible breeding and pet overpopulation — or continue dealing with the consequences after animals are already homeless.

And humans in leadership decide whether documented concerns from residents, volunteers, rescues and advocates lead to collaboration and improvement — or resistance and defense of the status quo.

So yes, this is an “US” problem.

But let's remember who “US” includes.

Residents are part of the “US.”

Pet owners are part of the “US.”

Rescues, fosters, volunteers and advocates are part of the “US.”

Shelter leadership is part of the “US.”

And our elected commissioners are part of the “US.”

Gwinnett County didn't create the pet-overpopulation crisis, and government cannot solve it alone.

Everyone has a role.

And so does our government.