The Lake Martin Animal Shelter’s adoption rate for 2019 was up while its euthanasia rate was down, and we couldn’t be happier. The total adoption rate last year was more than 20% — 10% above the national average — according to shelter director Mia Chandler. Euthanasia was also 25% last year, which was half the national average of 50%.

These numbers are great. For a small shelter, to bring up adoptions and lower the number of pets euthanized means the community is doing something right.