Despite months of discussions and good faith efforts on the part of Fulton County, the City of Atlanta failed to sign an agreement to authorize Fulton County to continue delivery of animal control services within the city limits. As a result, responsibility for animal control services reverted to the City effective Friday, April 5, 2024, at 5 p.m. Residents in need of services should contact the City of Atlanta directly via 311.

“I am disappointed and shocked that the City of Atlanta would put its residents in this position,” said Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts. “We have done everything we can and are left with no option but to discontinue services.”

Animal services are delivered on behalf of cities under the terms of individual Intergovernmental Agreements. Without such an agreement in place, Fulton County is not authorized to provide services within the City.

New agreements were to take effect on January 1, 2024. Fourteen other cities returned their signed agreements.

Fulton County continued to provide services for more than three months in hopes of reaching an agreement.

Fulton County remains open to continuation of services when a signed intergovernmental agreement is provided.