Furkids

What Furkids does

Furkids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit and Georgia's largest no-kill animal rescue, founded in 2002 and headquartered on a 9-acre campus at 5235 Union Hill Rd, Cumming, GA. The organization rescues dogs and cats from kill shelters, provides medical and behavioral rehabilitation, places animals through direct adoption and a foster network of approximately 550 homes, and operates a 97.6% live release rate as of 2025. Core programs include dog and cat adoption services, the Fort & Michele Felker Cat Shelter (200-cat capacity, opened December 2023), monthly vaccination and microchip clinics, a Community Cats TNR program, and specialized Lifesaving Programs covering FIV+, FeLV+, FIP (100+ cats treated since 2019 at ~90% success), chronic medical cases, neonatal services, and trauma care. The Interstate TransFUR Coalition transferred 242 animals to northern partner shelters in 2025.

Furkids distributes adoptions through six PetSmart partnership locations across metro Atlanta and generates revenue through a mix of adoption fees ($50 standard, waived for seniors and FIV/FeLV+ cats), donations (one-time and Sustainer Circle monthly recurring), grants (PetSmart Charities, Petco Love, Bissell Pet Foundation, Boehringer Ingelheim, The Home Depot Foundation), event fundraising (Paws for Cocktails, Comedy Night, Puppy Yoga, Swing Fore Strays, Fashion for Furkids), an online merchandise store, and a thrift store. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations run on third-party tools including ShelterLuv for adoption matching.

The Destination Furkids capital campaign is currently expanding the headquarters campus with a ~13,000-square-foot Sutherlin Dog Shelter (135-dog capacity, doubling current capacity), a Giaquinto Medical Center with six surgery tables, and additional amenities. Annual operating scale in 2025 includes 4,601 animals saved, 3,878 adoptions, and 3,506 foster-care nights. Strategic funding anchors include a $1 million Fair Sutherlin challenge grant and signature events raising $275,000 (Paws for Cocktails 2024) and $550,000 (23rd Anniversary 2025).

Name

Furkids

Legal name

Furkids, Inc.

Website

https://furkids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Furkids is Georgia's largest no-kill animal rescue and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2002, that rescues, medically treats, and adopts out dogs and cats through its 9-acre Cumming campus, a foster network, and PetSmart adoption centers, supported by donations, events, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE), Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Pet adoption services
• No-kill shelter operations
• Community cat programs
• Shelter veterinary services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cumming

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Adoption Fees: Furkids charges adoption fees for cats and dogs placed in forever homes. Standard adoption fees are $50, with fees waived for senior cats and cats with FIV/FeLV+ status.
2. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute through one-time gifts, monthly sustainer program (Sustainer Circle), matching gifts, planned giving, and tribute/memorial donations. This represents the largest portion of revenue budget according to organizational statements.
3. Merchandise Sales: Furkids operates an online store selling branded merchandise including T-shirts, mugs, hats, Yeti Ramblers, canvas prints, and specialty items like Kitten Thriver/Survivor Kits and Community Cat Support packages.
4. Event Fundraising: Major annual events including Paws for Cocktails gala (raised over $275,000 in 2024, over $550,000 in 2025), Comedy Night ($35 tickets with open bar), Puppy Yoga sessions ($38), and Golf Tournament generate significant revenue.
5. Grants: Furkids receives grants from organizations including PetSmart Charities, Petco Love, Bissell Pet Foundation, Boehringer Ingelheim, and participates in matching grant programs such as the Fair Sutherlin $1 million challenge grant for dog shelter construction.
6. Third-Party Fundraising Partnerships: Partnership with PeachSkinSheets generates $20 per sheet set sold through Furkids' fundraising portal, with 40% discount offered to supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Furkids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) no-kill animal rescue and shelter organization that rescues, medically treats, and rehomes dogs and cats through its Cumming, Georgia headquarters campus, an Alpharetta dog shelter, and six PetSmart adoption centers in metro Atlanta. The organization runs a 550+ home foster network, specialized medical programs (FIV+, FeLV+, FIP), a Community Cats TNR program, monthly vaccination and microchip clinics, an interstate transfer coalition, and supports operations through a merchandise store, thrift store, cat cafe, event venue, and recurring fundraising events.

Product overview

Furkids is Georgia's largest no-kill animal rescue and shelter organization offering a comprehensive platform of animal welfare services. The core offering consists of dog and cat adoption services, with animals available through the main shelter facilities and PetSmart adoption centers. Supporting programs include foster care, monthly vaccination/microchip clinics, and the Community Cats TNR program. The organization operates specialized Lifesaving Programs for FIV+ and FeLV+ cats, chronic medical care, neonatal services, and trauma care. The Destination Furkids capital campaign is expanding the 9-acre headquarters with a new dog shelter (Sutherlin Dog Shelter), medical center (Giaquinto Medical Center), and event venue (Giaquinto Event Center). Revenue generation includes a merchandise store, annual events (Paws for Cocktails, Comedy Night, Puppy Yoga, Golf Tournament), and thrift store operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 97.6% live release rate in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• PetSmart CharitiescoreGTM or Marketing Partner23-year partnership with PetSmart Charities provides adoption center locations at 6 metro Atlanta PetSmart stores. PetSmart Charities supports Furkids with adoption grants and the 'Empty the Shelters' campaign events.
• Petco LovecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Petco Love includes National Lost Prevention Month collaboration and support through Petco Love Lost program for microchipping and pet identification.
• Bissell Pet FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBissell Pet Foundation 'Empty the Shelters' national initiative reduces Furkids adoption fees to $50 during campaign events to find homes for more pets.
• CandidminorOthersCandid provides transparency and impact reporting tools; Furids holds Candid Platinum Seal demonstrating commitment to organizational transparency.
• Charity NavigatorminorOthersIndependent charity evaluator; Furkids holds four-star rating demonstrating strong financial health and accountability.
• PeachSkinSheetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundraising partnership where $20 per sheet set sold through Furkids' fundraising portal supports the organization. Supporters receive 40% discount on purchases.
• Fix GA PetsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpay/neuter initiative partner supporting Furkids' community cat TNR programs and accessible sterilization services.

Scale indicators23 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atlanta Humane Society: Atlanta's other large no-kill animal shelter operating in the same metro market, offering adoptions, veterinary services, and behavioral programs. Directly comparable geographic and product overlap makes it Furkids' closest local competitor for donors, adopters, and corporate partnerships.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Nationally recognized no-kill animal welfare organization operating sanctuaries, adoption programs, and a destination shelter model. Most directly comparable to Furkids in mission, no-kill philosophy, and capital-campaign-style destination campus development.
• LifeLine Animal Project: Atlanta-based nonprofit that runs county animal shelters and adoption programs in the same metro area. Directly competes for local donors, adopters, and grant funding and offers a useful benchmark for operational scale and government-contract sheltering models.
• Alley Cat Allies: National advocacy and field organization focused on community cats and TNR programs — a specific programmatic overlap with Furkids' Community Cats program. Comparable as a specialty nonprofit operating in the same niche with similar field operations.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: The largest US animal welfare organization, with national programs in adoption, rescue, anti-cruelty, and veterinary care. Operates broadly rather than as a single shelter, but competes for national donor dollars and shapes the policy environment Furkids operates in.
• Humane Society of the United States: National umbrella animal welfare organization that does not run individual shelters but influences policy, runs rescue partnerships, and competes for major-donor philanthropy. Useful as a benchmark for national fundraising scale and brand reach.

Regional players

• Arizona Humane Society: Large regional no-kill shelter in Phoenix operating adoption, veterinary, and cruelty-investigation programs with a similar multi-program service model. Comparable as a regional-scale peer outside the Southeast.
• San Diego Humane Society: One of the largest US regional animal welfare organizations, operating multiple campuses with veterinary, adoption, and community programs. Comparable operating model and destination-style facilities in a different geography.

Others

• PetSmart Charities: The largest funder of US pet adoptions and Furkids' core channel partner via PetSmart adoption centers. Not a competitor but a critical peer for grant benchmarking and adoption-channel economics.
• Bissell Pet Foundation: National pet welfare foundation that funds shelter partners and runs the Empty the Shelters campaign in which Furkids participates. Functions as both a peer funder and a competitive grantmaker for shelter adoption programming.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/furkidsatlanta
• Xx.com/furkidsinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/furkidsinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/furkids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Furkids