OUR STORY

Safe Pet Project (SPP) was established in September 2021 by a group of individuals with a love for animals and with years of experience volunteering in animal rescue and animal services. These animal advocates were dedicated to creating an organization which could fill the needs that existed in saving and improving the lives of area dogs and cats.

It was clear to the group that the initial focus of SPP should be addressing the tremendous number of lost animals with no identification. Realizing that some pet owners weren’t familiar with microchipping and some pet owners were not able to afford microchipping, Safe Pet Project’s first community assistance program was quarterly offering free microchips to the pets in the community. This was clearly a much needed service as was evident by the large number of pet families attending the quarterly chipping events.

From that beginning program, pet owners and local veterinarians were quick to help SPP plan for future programs and services to address the needs of the local mountain animals. These needs were numerous.

In December of 2021 it was decided to open a volunteer-driven thrift store. Unsure if enough donated items would be received and enough individuals would volunteer to staff the store the group knew this venture had the greatest potential as a continual source of funding for animal services. As a result of SPP volunteers efforts and with the support of the community the thrift store was a huge success.

Very soon the dollars raised at the thrift store allowed the purchase of an ID tag engraving machine. SPP then began to offer very low cost ID tags to aid in the identification of lost animals.

Determined to continue to serve the animals, the next program added was a partnership with Nottely Oaks Animal Hospital (NOAH), a local veterinary clinic. Together a program called “No Paws Left Behind” was created. No Paws Left Behind is a very successful program finding loving adoptive homes for abandoned dogs and cats. NOAH provides medical care and housing for the animals. SPP provides funding for any special needs veterinary care required to improve the animal’s life. SPP also works with the animals to show them the love they need/deserve and to learn their personality. SPP interviews prospective adoptive individuals and families matching the animal’s personality with those interested.

Soon the team of Safe Pet Project and Nottely Oaks Animal Hospital were asked to join “The Rescued Program” at Blairsville’s Colwell Probation Detention Center. As a part of the Rescued Program our team rescues dogs, provides them with the veterinary care they need and then working with the Colwell Probation Detention Center the dogs are linked with a detainee in the Detention Center. This match with a dog provides unconditional love to the detainee and teaches them responsibility. The dog receives the love, attention and care they need and often times are adopted by the detainee.

Safe Pet Project then added an additional program to help dogs in Union County, GA. In coordination with the nonprofit organization Freedom For Fido, Safe Pet Project volunteers began to build temporary dog kennels for dogs that have been living on chains their entire lives. This program is called The Freedom Project. Dog who never before were able to run, play and enjoy life are given their “freedom”.

In July 2022, Safe Pet Project applied and was awarded a donation of 24 pallets of pet food and supplies from Chewy.com and the Humane Society of the United States. With the goal of keeping pets and families together, SPP distributed food and supplies for FREE to approximately 1485 pets and 269 families in the community. In December 2022 Chewy.com sent another tractor-trailer load full of hard goods for pets including crates, gates, cages, ramps and more. Again SPP distributed these items for FREE to approximately 239 needy families with pets.

In late 2022, Safe Pet Program partnered with Logan’s Run Rescue, and began to provide another community program; “TNR” (Trap/Neuter/Return). SPP volunteers continually work to reduce the number of litters of unwanted feral kittens. Since it’s initiation several requests are received each week from individuals and businesses asking for assistance with TNR to prevent unwanted litters.

The efforts of the Safe Pet Project and it’s volunteers do not go unnoticed. In September of 2022 Safe Pet Project was chosen as the Business of the Quarter by Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce. The organization was further honored when Safe Pet Project received the Community United Award 2022 as the Non-profit Of The Year by Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce. Everyone agrees that this indeed is a remarkable achievement for a nonprofit organization in it’s first year.