---
title: HR 288. No-Kill Awareness Day at the state capitol; April 30, 2025; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr288
cite_as: HR 288, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr288
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr288.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr288/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70458
date: 2025-02-18
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr287.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr289.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr288.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 288
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-02-18
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Sharon Cooper
  - Deborah Silcox
  - Karen Mathiak
  - Joseph Gullett
  - Debbie Buckner
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR288/2025
upstream_id: 1974150
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - animal shelters
  - pet adoption
  - animal welfare
  - state capitol recognition day
---

# HR 288. No-Kill Awareness Day at the state capitol; April 30, 2025; recognize

## Text

House Resolution 288
By: Representatives Cooper of the 45th, Silcox of the 53rd, Mathiak of the 82nd, Gullett of the
19th, and Buckner of the 137th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing April 30, 2025, as No-Kill Awareness Day at the state capitol; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia values the lives of dogs and cats and seeks to create safe
and humane communities for people and pets; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, 19,331 dogs and cats, nearly 20 percent of the pets impounded, were
killed in Georgia shelters; and
WHEREAS, many loving and healthy animals in shelters and rescues throughout Georgia
are waiting for homes; and
WHEREAS, pet adoption provides many dogs and cats a second chance at life, helps reduce
the strain on overcrowded shelters, promotes animal welfare, and encourages responsible pet
ownership within the community; and
WHEREAS, "No-Kill" is a community philosophy and commitment to saving every dog and
cat in a shelter who can be saved, where at least 90 percent of the companion animals
entering facilities leave alive; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's animal shelters can achieve a 90 percent save rate if more Georgians
seeking a pet choose to adopt from a shelter rather than purchase, which would make Georgia
the largest state to date with a save rate exceeding 90 percent; and
WHEREAS, many Georgia shelters are no-kill, saving at least 90 percent of the animals they
intake by implementing proven programs and policies as alternatives, such as foster care
networks, adoption programs, medical and behavioral programs, public education and
awareness initiatives, community cat trap-neuter-vaccinate-return programs, and animal
socialization programs; and
WHEREAS, Georgians can work together to achieve "No-Kill" in this state by 2025, and
animal shelters can help accomplish this by implementing lifesaving programs and utilizing
the support of rescues and nonprofits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body commend animal shelter workers and volunteers as well as
community members who support their local animal shelters and recognize April 30, 2025,
as No-Kill Awareness Day at the state capitol to raise awareness about dog and cat adoption
and the importance of "No-Kill" animal shelters.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
public and the press.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution designates April 30, 2025 as No-Kill Awareness Day at the state capitol, honoring shelter workers and promoting pet adoption to reduce euthanasia in Georgia animal shelters.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes April 30, 2025 as No-Kill Awareness Day at the state capitol. The resolution cites 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 saving at least 90 percent of animals entering shelters.
The House resolves that its members commend animal shelter workers, volunteers, and community members who support local shelters, and it recognizes the day to raise awareness about pet adoption and no-kill shelter practices. It also directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.

### What it does

- 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 shelters.
- States a goal of raising public awareness about dog and cat adoption and no-kill shelter practices.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

### Who it affects

Animal shelter workers and volunteers across Georgia, community members who support local shelters, and Georgians considering pet adoption. It also involves the Clerk of the House, who must distribute copies of the resolution.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries symbolic weight rather than legal force. It draws public attention to shelter euthanasia rates and adoption as an alternative, potentially encouraging more Georgians to adopt pets and support shelters, though it creates no funding, programs, or legal requirements.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses cite that 19,331 dogs and cats, nearly 20 percent of impounded pets, were killed in Georgia shelters in 2023.
- Defines 'No-Kill' as a community commitment where at least 90 percent of animals entering shelter facilities leave alive.
- Resolves that the House commends shelter workers, volunteers, and supportive community members.
- Recognizes April 30, 2025 as No-Kill Awareness Day at the state capitol to promote adoption awareness.
- Directs the Clerk of the House to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-02-18)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-18)
- Sponsors: Sharon Cooper, Deborah Silcox, Karen Mathiak, Joseph Gullett, Debbie Buckner
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70458

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr288.md?full=1