[PHOTOSTORY 5: STRUGGLE] Bulloch County Animal Shelter

 By: Madlen Wendland

The lobby of Bulloch County Animal Services. The shelter is located at 81 Mill Creek Rd. in Statesboro, Ga.

Jordan Janik, a shelter attended, pets Seth while the dog is on a leash held by a Bulloch County prisoner. The animal shelter works with the Bulloch County Jail to allow prisoners to perform community service.

Jordan Janik pets Seth. The dog is the oldest in the shelter at 5 years old.

Jordan Janik talks about the different dogs that are available for adoption and points to their pictures. The shelter can hold about 70 dogs and currently has about 50.

Jordan Janik talks about the shelter and the work it does. The shelter is considered a low-kill facility, and animals are euthanized only for medical reasons or if they cannot be adopted.

Jordan Janik plays with Rose. Rose has been at the shelter for more than 90 days and is part of the 90-day dog walk, where long-term dogs receive extra promotion.

Rose rolls on the ground. Like most dogs at the shelter, she was a stray found on the side of the road and brought in by a stranger.

A Bulloch County prisoner is taking Seth for a walk. About five to six prisoners help at the shelter by cleaning, feeding or taking the animals out for a walk. 

Mr. Mighty is separated from the other cats and is not available for adoption because he has ear mites. Bulloch County Animal Services has about 18 cats and 30 dogs available for adoption, while more are at the shelter recovering.

A prisoner looks at Mr. Mighty. “One of my favorite things about working at the shelter is seeing the journey of the dogs, from coming in, recovering and ultimately getting adopted,” a prisoner working at the shelter said. “That just always makes me so happy.

Volunteer Bethany Boyer is one of three volunteers working at the shelter. “I love spending time with the dogs and getting to know their different personalities," Boyer said. "That’s why I volunteered here."

Jordan Janik kisses Lyra on the head. Lyra has been at the shelter for more than 100 days and has been there the longest.

A volunteer photographs Lyra. Lyra has heartworm, which makes her less likely to be adopted because of the cost of treatment.

Jordan Janik holds Lyra on a leash. The shelter is funded by donations from citizens and Bulloch County itself.

Puddin lies by the fence. He is a puppy that was found abandoned in the woods, underfed and with a broken leg.

Puddin is carried inside by Jordan Janik. Because the shelter not only houses dogs available for adoption but also cares for sick or scared ones, it has limited capacity to take in every dog brought to it.

Puddin is being washed. “More people these days get their dogs from breeders rather than shelters because they think the dogs here are feral and dangerous, but in most cases, they are just scared and need someone to love and care for them,” Jordan Janik said.

Jordan Janik brushes Puddin’s fur to remove dirt and flakes. The shelter works with Fixin’ the Boro to vaccinate dogs and treat existing diseases.

Amanda Anderson, the shelter supervisor, works at her desk while Wallace stands on a leash next to her. Wallace is a new dog from an abusive household, and the shelter is working to help him adjust to people before he is available for adoption.

Three shelter attendants sit at their desks while office cat Adabell runs around. The shelter averages 15 to 20 adoptions per month, but about 30 to 35 animals are brought in during that time.