Our pets are our family, and sometimes families fall on hard times, which often means furry friends tragically end up at local rescue centers or shelters. These heart-breaking surrenders are usually due to circumstances beyond the owner’s control.
But what if a pet safety net fostering program could provide short-term support and reunite families with their pets once they are back on their feet?
That’s what Vicki Chin thought when she had the idea for Stay Together Furever (STF), a non-profit startup launched in October 2023 that focuses on helping lower-income and fixed-income families facing a life crisis retain possession of their beloved pets.
From left, Karen Bates (STF Chief Financial Officer) and Vicki Chin at a 2023 benefit gala
“I got started in dog rescue in 2007 and have served in numerous volunteer roles over the years, first with Small Dog Rescue and then Angels Among Us Pet Rescue,” said Chin. “In that time, I have fostered over 80 dogs, most of which were rescued from local animal shelters. Most recently, I served on the board of directors for Angels.”
“The idea for Stay Together Furever came about unexpectedly in July 2023 when a friend and director of a local community charity contacted me to inquire about temporary help for two cats whose elderly owner was being evicted,” she recounted.
Chin was familiar with Paws Between Homes (PBH), a nonprofit that provides foster services to pets whose owners are facing a housing crisis. Unfortunately, the cats’ owner resided outside PBH’s service area, so they could not help.
However, the incident opened Chin’s eyes to the widespread need for pet safety net fostering. PBH invited her to join its Steering Committee and learn more about the organization.
“[PHB has] been extremely supportive in helping me launch STF,” she added.
Overcrowding in local animal shelters is placing undue strain on county animal shelters, resulting in increased euthanasia rates in kill shelters while forcing traditionally non-kill shelters to reevaluate their euthanasia policies.
The mission of Stay Together Furever is to help reduce the number of pets being surrendered to local animal shelters by providing temporary foster homes for dogs and cats whose owners are facing a non-emergency crisis that could put their pets’ security or well-being at risk.
From left, Don Rorabaugh (STF Chief Technology Officer), Vicki Chin (STF Founder and CEO), and Kay Smarr (STF Board Secretary) at a 2023 benefit gala
Examples of applicable crisis situations include an eviction notice, a critical illness or a messy domestic breakup.
“Animal shelters are overrun with owner-surrendered pets, and overcrowding in animal shelters has led to a three-year spike in euthanasia rates,” Chin explained.
“I know first-hand that rescue groups are struggling to save as many lives as possible, but what I have learned from my 17 years in pet rescue is that we cannot simply rescue our way out of the animal shelter overcrowding problem,” she stated.
Through its network of foster homes, Stay Together Furever will provide up to ninety days of pet care. During that time, the non-profit will cover the costs of necessary veterinary services, including spaying or neutering, vaccinations and other routine medical care.
The goal is to reunite the pets with their loving owners. The non-profit is targeting the second quarter of 2024 to begin helping local-area families in need.
The non-profit will initially concentrate on assisting families residing in Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Duluth and Berkeley Lake.
Stay Together Furever is actively recruiting foster homes to provide short-term fostering of cats and dogs to local-area families in need.
If you are interested in becoming a short-term foster volunteer, email fostering@staytogetherfurever.org or visit www.staytogetherfurever.org/foster.
This 501(c)(3) non-profit also accepts monetary donations and gently used pet supplies. To help or for more information, visit www.staytogetherfurever.org or follow them on Facebook.
The City of Peachtree Corners will hold an important public meeting on May 8 to discuss the future of law enforcement in our community — including the potential creation of a city police department.
This meeting will feature a presentation by City Manager Brian Johnson on the findings of a comprehensive Police Analysis & Staffing Study that evaluated the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department based on current workload, crime levels and community demographics.
The presentation will also include budgetary considerations, comparative models and the advantages and disadvantages of a county vs. city police department.
Following the presentation, there will be time for a Q&A and open dialogue.
In-person attendance is limited to 300. First come, first served. A livestream option will be available for those who can’t attend in person.
After the meeting, a follow-up survey will be available on the city’s project page.
Meeting details
The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners
Date/Time: May 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church (5775 Peachtree Parkway)
It’s time to sign up for the best (and only) Glow Run and Twilight Trot in Peachtree Corners!
Registration is now open to participate in this year’s Light Up the Corners race, scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at The Forum. The 1k Twilight Trot will start at 8 p.m., and the four-mile Glow Run begins at 8:30 p.m. Once the runners have done their thing, a fun post-race party will follow.
This annual event is not only an exciting community tradition, but also a fundraiser for the Why It Matters campaign at the Fowler Family YMCA.
All proceeds from registration goes directly to helping struggling families and children in the community benefit from the life-changing programs and services offered at the YMCA.
Individual registration is $40 through July 31; $45 if you register between August 1–14; and $50 if you wait to sign up on August 15 or 16. Those registering as a team of four or more will save $5–$10 per registration.
Sponsorships available
In addition to individual and team registrations, organizers also rely on the generosity and support of local businesses to make each year’s fundraising event successful. And this year is no different. If you’d like to support their efforts through a sponsorship, information can be found on the Light Up the Corners 2025 website.
T-shirt logo contest
Another way to take part is to enter the t-shirt logo design contest. Artwork and entry forms are due by May 16, and judges will be looking for one dynamic image to represent the Light Up the Corners Glow Run on the race banner, t-shirts and all multi-media.
The winning artist will receive a $1000 check, presented during the event. An entry form and additional details can be found here.
I want to take a moment to address an issue that has been increasingly affecting our community — the growing deer population.
Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in the number of deer within Peachtree Corners, leading to heightened concerns about public safety, property damage and ecological impacts. I want to share what we are doing to address these challenges and how you can be part of the solution.
The surge in the deer population poses several threats to our community:
1. Landscape damage: Deer feeding on ornamental plants, shrubs and trees results in significant property damage and costly repairs for homeowners.
2. Increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions: Frequent road crossings, often under low-visibility conditions, pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.
3. Adverse ecological impacts: Excessive browsing by deer diminishes plant diversity, impacting the availability of food for other wildlife.
4. Public health concerns: High deer densities contribute to an increase in ticks, elevating the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
To address these challenges, the City of Peachtree Corners is collaborating with wildlife officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Urban Wildlife Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.
These partnerships are vital, as GADNR holds primary authority over wildlife management, and USDA brings extensive experience in urban wildlife management. By working together, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach tailored to our community’s unique needs.
Based on recommendations from our partners, the City is actively developing a comprehensive deer management plan. The plan aims to mitigate the public safety, property damage, ecological and public health impacts caused by the growing deer population.
Here’s what we are doing:
1. Population surveys: Utilizing advanced tools like trail cameras and thermal imaging to accurately assess deer numbers.
2. Habitat assessments: Evaluating the impact of the deer population on local vegetation and biodiversity.
3. Community involvement: Updating the “PTC Report It” app to allow residents to report deer-related concerns and submit photographs.
4. Data analysis: Collaborating with federal and state partners to analyze data and determine a sustainable deer population for our community.
Once the assessment phase is complete, the city will adopt a deer management plan. Since many deer reside on private property, the plan will offer property owners city-supported options for managing deer. This includes educational programs, habitat modification techniques and access to targeted population reduction initiatives.
Our goal is to facilitate relationships between wildlife officials and residents to ensure a balanced approach that protects public safety, preserves property and maintains ecological integrity.
Here are a few ways you can help:
• Complete the Deer Impact Survey: Available online. Your input will help us gather valuable data on deer population densities and their impact.
• Report concerns: Use the “PTC Report It” app or go online to report deer-related issues and share photos.
• Stay informed: Follow our updates and participate in any upcoming GADNR workshops to stay informed about deer management efforts.
I truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to address these challenges and protect the quality of life in Peachtree Corners. Thank you for being engaged and committed to our community.