SR105: SR105 No-Kill Awareness Day; recognize April 30, 2025

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, the Senate uses it to recognize April 30, 2025, as No-Kill Awareness Day at the state capitol. The resolution points to figures showing that in 2023 nearly 20 percent of dogs and cats impounded in Georgia shelters, about 19,331 animals, were killed, and it describes the 'No-Kill' philosophy as a commitment to save at least 90 percent of animals that enter a shelter. The resolution commends animal shelter workers, volunteers, and community members who support local shelters, and it encourages Georgians to adopt pets rather than buy them to help shelters reach a 90 percent save rate. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.

• Formally designates April 30, 2025 as No-Kill Awareness Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Commends animal shelter workers, volunteers, and community members who support local animal shelters.
• Cites 2023 data that nearly 20 percent of impounded dogs and cats, 19,331 animals, were killed in Georgia shelters.
• Encourages adoption from shelters as a way to help Georgia shelters reach a 90 percent save rate, the threshold used to define a 'No-Kill' shelter.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.

Animal shelters and rescue organizations across Georgia, their staff and volunteers, and Georgians considering adopting a dog or cat are the groups named in the resolution's text.

The resolution carries no legal requirements or funding, but it publicly spotlights shelter killing rates and the No-Kill movement, potentially raising awareness that could influence adoption choices and support for shelter programs like foster care and trap-neuter-vaccinate-return efforts.

• The preamble ('WHEREAS' clauses) cites that 19,331 dogs and cats, nearly 20 percent of impounded pets, were killed in Georgia shelters in 2023.
• Defines 'No-Kill' as a commitment where at least 90 percent of animals entering a shelter leave alive.
• The resolved clause formally recognizes April 30, 2025 as No-Kill Awareness Day at the state capitol.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-02-04Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-03Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)Primary sponsor
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)

• animal shelters
• pet adoption
• No-Kill movement
• state capitol recognition day