Fulton County officially resumed handling animal control services for the city of Atlanta as of 4 p.m. today on a unanimous vote by the Fulton County Commission.
County Manager Dick Anderson said the county had received a signed intergovernmental agreement (IGA) from Atlanta for animal control services through 2028.
The Atlanta City Council approved a resolution at its Monday meeting authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement with Fulton County.
Councilmember Andrea Boone introduced the resolution for immediate consideration. The resolution was necessary after Fulton County abruptly halted providing animal control services in the city on April 5.
The city council must also approve an ordinance to contract with Fulton County to provide animal control services. The ordinance is expected to be voted on at the May 6 meeting.
City Attorney Amber Robinson said the county’s law department agreed to the two-part method of legislation.
Anderson said the county was prepared to resume full service to Atlanta upon the commission’s approval of the IGA.
“We have as I said earlier this morning taken in close to 100 dogs. We’ve also worked closely with APD and citizens to minimize the impact,” Anderson said.
Those dogs were accepted at the Fulton County Animal Services Facility on Fulton Industrial Boulevard from city of Atlanta residents during the 10-day pause in service period, according to a county spokesperson.
County staff and Lifeline, the contractor providing animal control services for the county, have been notified about the resumption of services. They were also going to reach out to the Atlanta Police Department.
Residents can call 404-613-0358 for animal services in any of Fulton County’s 15 cities, including Atlanta. A field service officer will be dispatched when necessary.
The city’s resolution called for Fulton County to resume providing services in the city as soon as Mayor Andre Dickens and the county finalized an IGA. The IGA continues through Dec. 31, 2028.
Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne had told Rough Draft on Tuesday she expected animal control services to immediately start back up again after the April 17 commission vote.
“I think Atlanta, with its unanimous vote to approve the IGA, demonstrates its willingness to work together,” Thorne said in a written statement.
“Therefore, I think the action item — I am assuming this item will be to resume animal services — at our meeting will pass and animal control services will start immediately,” Thorne said.
This story has been updated.