Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 2
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): Commission District 2
Allocation of $10,000 of District 2 Reserve for Appropriation to Compassionate Atlanta to Support the "Creature Corner" at the 2026 Compassion Con
Body
Information Contact: Commissioner Michelle Long Spears
Phone Number: 404-371-2863
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the allocation is to support the Creature Corner Neighborhood at CompassionCon 2026 - a dedicated space within the event that promotes animal welfare, community engagement, and the mission of the Save Our DeKalb Animals (SoDA) initiative.
NEED/IMPACT:
Funding for the Creature Corner Neighborhood at CompassionCon 2026 is essential to sustain and expand a highly successful initiative that advances the mission of DeKalb County District 2’s Save Our DeKalb Animals (SoDA) program. Building on the 2024 and 2025 successes-where the space fostered community engagement, volunteer participation, and facilitated pet adoptions-this program has become a beloved, high-impact feature of the event.
Creature Corner directly aligns with SoDA’s goals by fostering collaboration among animal welfare organizations, government, and residents; blending education and healing; and promoting solutions to local animal care challenges. It also serves as a powerful outreach platform, engaging over 1,400 attendees and 100 vendors, while prominently showcasing the leadership of Commissioner Long Spears and the District 2 team.
This investment will remove financial barriers for grassroots animal welfare groups, provide logistical support to participating vendors, and increase public awareness of SoDA’s mission. By championing Creature Corner, DeKalb County affirms its role as a regional leader in building compassionate communities for both humans and animals, ensuring the continuation of an initiative that inspires action and nurtures empathy across our county.
FISCAL IMPACT:
An amount not to exceed $10,000 to Compassionate Atlanta from Board of Commissioners District 2 Reserve for Appropriation (00202.579002.100.000.0000).
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To approve the allocation and authorize the Chief Executive Officer or her designee to execute all necessary documents.