Animal Welfare Candidate Pledge

I will support meaningful citizen and animal-advocate representation and an Animal Advisory Council that can independently ask questions, review information, request records and data, make recommendations, and advise the Board without interference or retaliation.

I will hold Animal Welfare leadership and employees to meaningful standards of professionalism, animal care, regulatory compliance and accountability; seek answers and appropriate investigation when credible concerns are raised; follow up on corrective action; and support protections for employees, volunteers, Council members and others who raise legitimate concerns in good faith.

I will support a comprehensive independent operational audit and/or independent task force to evaluate Gwinnett's animal-welfare system, with measurable recommendations, timelines and public progress reporting. I also support appropriate camera coverage in animal housing, medical and animal-handling areas to protect animals and employees and provide objective evidence when incidents or complaints occur.

I will support stronger measures addressing irresponsible and backyard breeding; prohibiting retail sales of dogs, cats and rabbits from commercial breeding sources; strengthening inadequate animal-protection ordinances; consistent enforcement of existing laws; and adequate Animal Enforcement staffing and resources. Enforcement should be fair, consistent and focused on improving animal and community welfare.

I will support meaningful public reporting of shelter outcomes, euthanasia, length of stay, capacity, medical care, enrichment, volunteer participation, prevention programs and other key measures; substantive review and response to credible concerns and recommendations; and appropriate County funding for programs and resources that improve animal-welfare outcomes. Taxpayer-funded programs should have measurable objectives, publicly reported results and meaningful oversight.

I recognize animal welfare as a County-government responsibility. I will listen to residents, advocates, volunteers, employees, professionals and advisory bodies; examine evidence and data; ask difficult questions; and follow up when concerns are raised. When evidence shows that a policy, program or practice is failing animals or residents, I will use the authority of the office to pursue meaningful, measurable change — even when that requires challenging the status quo.