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NOVEMBER 2026

Greetings!


Learn about center happenings, community events, pet ownership tips, animal adoptions, and more!

CENTER NEWS

Construction progress at the center

We’re excited to share significant progress on the expansion at the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center! Projects currently underway include:

  • Renovating existing kennels, workstations, and support areas
  • Replacing heating and air-conditioning equipment, the roof, and laundry equipment
  • Repairing the facility access drive and rear parking area, as well as windows, wall seals, and other exterior building components


By repairing what we can and replacing what we need, these renovations are extending the useful life and reliability of the existing facility, working to optimize shelter housing and the well-being of the animals in our care.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Volunteer Orientation | Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center | Free

6:00pm – 7:00pm | December 7

10:00am – 11:00am | November 24 and December 22  


Whether your heart belongs to dogs, cats, or helping behind the scenes, we’ve got a place for you here! If you've been thinking about volunteering, visit VolunteerGwinnett.net to view the orientation schedule and reserve your seat. 


Beyond the Kennel Training – Read Canine Mind and Playgroups | Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center | Free

Designed for experienced AWE volunteers ready to take the next step, expand opportunities to provide enrichment, socialization, and valuable behavioral observations for dogs that can benefit from additional time outside the shelter environment. The Read Canine Mind class is a prerequisite for the Playgroups class.

PET TIPS

Turkey Day treats for pets

Thanksgiving may be a feast for humans, but many traditional dishes can be dangerous for pets, including turkey bones, fatty scraps like skin or gravy, and anything with onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, or chocolate. Instead, celebrate your furry family members with these pet-safe foods:

  • Plain green beans
  • Cooked carrots
  • A spoonful of plain pumpkin
  • Small bits of boneless, skinless turkey
  • Make a simple homemade treat like pumpkin and oat bites by mixing canned pumpkin with oats and baking small dollops at 350 F for about 15 minutes.


Remind guests not to sneak pets table scraps — no matter how cute the begging face is! Keep leftovers out of reach and secure trash cans, and feed pets from their bowl instead of the table to help avoid bad habits and keep them on a routine. 

SUCCESS STORIES

From foster to forever: Ruby's happily ever after

Former shelter pup Ruby found her forever home last fall, winning the heart of her adoptive dad the day she arrived on November 12, 2025. His super chill fur-baby is the perfect blend of sweetness, sassiness, and beauty, making it easy to see why he enjoys waking up to that face every day.


Dad reports that Ruby is well-trained, housebroken, and very driven by her daily treat reward for being such a good girl. She enjoys belly rubs, car rides around town, doing zoomies at the neighborhood dog park, and saying hello to everyone she encounters. We’re so happy that Ruby found her perfect match in the best kind of foster fail!

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