“The County Can Only Do So Much”: A Question of Resources and Priorities
Gwinnett Animal Advocacy Alliance
When residents raise concerns about Gwinnett County's animal welfare practices, one argument comes up repeatedly:
We agree.
Gwinnett doesn't have unlimited money, staff or shelter space. No county does. And county government cannot solve pet overpopulation alone.
But if resources are limited, shouldn't we be making the best possible use of the resources we already have?
The Animal Advisory Council: An Existing Resource
That's why the decision to dismantle the Animal Advisory Council matters.
The Animal Advisory Council was finally becoming more engaged — identifying problems, discussing solutions and pushing for improvements, including efforts to address pet overpopulation.
It didn't require building another shelter.
It didn't require hiring hundreds of employees.
That's not a question of unlimited resources. That's a question of priorities and choices.
Not Every Improvement Requires a Massive Budget
And several of the decisions we identified in Part 1 weren't simply about needing more money either:
- Adjusting shelter hours to make the shelter more accessible to working families doesn't require a massive new budget.
- Giving animals facing euthanasia a public last call doesn't require building another shelter.
- Listening and collaborating with residents, rescues, volunteers and advocates doesn't require a tax increase.
- Changing policies, strengthening ordinances and improving transparency and oversight don't necessarily require millions of additional dollars.
Making the Most of Existing Resources
When resources are limited, you don't eliminate people willing to help find solutions.
