Between Community News: Advocating for Animals and Supporting Walton County’s Compassionate Efforts

     Between GA--Between Community News stands proudly as an advocate for animal welfare, championing the cause of pets and livestock throughout Walton County. Our commitment is rooted in supporting the community’s ongoing efforts to ensure every animal—whether a beloved companion, a farm animal, or a homeless stray—receives the care, respect, and humane treatment they deserve.

     Walton County is home to a network of dedicated organizations and individuals working tirelessly to protect and care for animals. Their collective mission is to provide safe havens for abandoned and homeless animals, promote responsible pet ownership, and ensure livestock are well-treated.

Walton County Animal Control and Animal Shelter
     The Walton County Animal Control operates an open-intake shelter in Monroe, serving as the primary facility for stray, lost, and abandoned animals. The shelter’s mission is not only to protect public safety but also to safeguard animals from inhumane treatment, striving to re-home as many adoptable pets as possible. Animals are held for a period to allow owners to reclaim them, and after this, they are evaluated for adoption. Adoption fees are kept low and include vaccinations and spay/neuter services, making it easier for families to welcome new pets into their homes.

Humane Society of Walton County
     Established in 2023, the Humane Society of Walton County is the county’s only non-profit brick-and-mortar animal shelter. It operates as a sanctuary for underprivileged animals, working closely with Animal Control to increase lifesaving efforts and move Walton toward becoming a no-kill county. The organization provides adoption services, resources for pet owners, and promotes spay/neuter programs, all while receiving no government funding.

Walton Animal Guild (WAG)
Since 2007, Walton Animal Guild has played a vital role in promoting the humane treatment of pets and ending the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals. WAG does not operate a shelter but collaborates with local rescue groups, fosters, and the county shelter to find homes for pets. Their initiatives include financial assistance for spay/neuter procedures, a community pet food pantry, and educational outreach to prevent pet overpopulation and animal abuse. Their “Huts for Mutts” program provides free dog houses to those in need, and their partnerships extend to regional rescue organizations.

     Animal Control officers in Walton County are dedicated not only to enforcing laws but also to providing compassionate assistance to residents and their animals. Officers have been known to help repair fencing for livestock owners facing hardship, offer resources rather than citations, and work to reunite lost animals with their families. Their goal is to solve problems and support responsible animal care, reflecting the community’s values of empathy and service.

     Adoption opportunities are available year-round at both the county shelter and the Humane Society, with a variety of pets seeking loving homes. The community also benefits from privately funded resources like Waltonpets.net, which helps connect adoptable animals with potential families and coordinates rescue pledges.

     For those in need, programs exist to assist with pet food, spay/neuter costs, and temporary shelter, ensuring that no animal is left behind due to financial hardship. Education initiatives and partnerships with local veterinarians further strengthen the safety net for animals in Walton County