Fulton County Jail Dog Program Gives Sheltered Dogs and Inmates a New Lease on Life

A new program named Canine Cellmates was just launched on Monday from the Fulton County Jail in which a number of dogs from Fulton County Animal Services that were scheduled to be euthanized will instead become companions to individuals in the Fulton County Jail system.

According to a written statement from Sheriff Ted Jackson's office, "working closely with Fulton County Animal Services, Canine Cellmates is aimed at minimizing recidivism, improving the lives of inmates and saving dogs from euthanasia in Fulton County."

The program's mission is quite a noble one, saving the lives of animals that were forgotten and presently uncared for, but this move also intends to improve the lives of inmates which may not be as popular.

On Monday, Sheriff Ted Jackson, Susan Jacobs-Meadows, Founding Director of Canine Cellmates, and the first group of inmates participating in the program all gathered together to launch the program.

From the attached photos, you can see the joy on most of the inmates faces in receiving the dog and the new responsibility that goes along with it.  It is also important to note that without this program these dogs would have been euthanized at some point in the near future.

According to the Sheriff's office, "this is a very unique program of interest to Fulton County residents, since Fulton County Jail is the only jail in Atlanta and one of the only jails in the country with a jail dog program."

For video of the dogs meeting their new owners, please follow the link to 11Alive News.