A winter storm is expected to move into Northeast Georgia on Saturday evening, with conditions forecast to deteriorate in the evening hours. As the system approaches, animal shelters across the region are adjusting operations to protect animals while managing continued intake and restricted access.
Toccoa–Stephens County Humane Shelter
According to Rylee Mercer, Executive Director of the Toccoa–Stephens County Humane Shelter, staff are well into storm preparations ahead of the expected arrival. The shelter plans to close to the public at noon on Saturday to allow time for readiness. Staff are adding extra bedding to kennels and moving some animals into interior rooms to improve insulation. Puppies and other young animals will receive non-electric heating disks prepared in advance to provide warmth without relying on power. Staff are also leaving additional food and water in enclosures in case travel becomes limited after the storm moves in. Shelter leadership adjusted staffing plans to reduce risk.
A smaller team, consisting of staff who live nearby and have vehicles suited for winter conditions, are prepared to mobilize on Sunday. The shelter remains in contact with its regional Georgia Department of Agriculture inspector to coordinate emergency response if conditions worsen.
Habersham County Focuses on Fostering
While Toccoa–Stephens County focuses on in-place preparation, the Habersham County Animal Shelter is working to move animals out of the building before snow and ice make access unsafe.
HCACC Director, Madi Nix, explained that the facility often loses power early during winter storms and regains it late. The shelter driveway includes a steep hill and a drop toward nearby soccer fields, which becomes hazardous during icy conditions. In past storms, staff have faced several days when they could not safely enter or exit the property. With the storm expected Friday evening, the shelter prioritized offsite placement through foster homes and boarding partners.
Staff arranged placements ahead of the storm. Limitless K9 in Alto took in beloved local legend, Harvey. K9 Inn of Clarkesville boarded another dog to help reduce the strain on foster families. The shelter coordinated dozens of dog and cat pickups by individuals and families across the community, a civilian effort reminiscent of the Dunkirk evacuations of 1940, when British residents used their own boats to rescue stranded Allied troops from beaches threatened by Nazi occupation in France.
How You Can Help in Habersham
However, animal numbers continue to fluctuate as intakes arrive despite, and indeed because of, the approaching storm. At one point, the shelter reduced its population to three large dogs. Three medium dogs arrived shortly before closing, increasing the count again. After intakes over two days, staff report eight dogs on-site, followed by an update of nine. About half of the shelter population remains in the building. On the cat side, one cat remains without placement, with additional foster pickups pending.
Some remaining dogs require specialized foster homes due to incompatibility with other animals or households with children. The shelter plans to provide calming medication when appropriate and continues to support foster families willing to assist during the storm.
If you can open your home to a dog or cat temporarily as the winter storm arrives, please reach out to Habersham County Animal Care & Control in Clarkesville. Call the shelter at 706-839-0195 or email [email protected] to ask about foster opportunities and next steps. Staff can provide details on how to help protect animals during the storm and support long-term care when weather conditions improve.
