About Us

Let Us Introduce You To TLC Humane Society

TLC Humane Society was organized in 1977 as the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Humane Society by a dedicated group of people who were vitally concerned about animal welfare. TLC remains an organization of volunteers devoted to saving animals from suffering and cruelty. We are based in Dahlonega, Georgia and are supported by fundraising activities and the donations of citizens concerned about the welfare of companion animals.

The abandonment of animals produced by careless over breeding is the primary problem the TLC Humane Society addresses. We are dedicated to policies and programs that promote non-lethal solutions to animal overpopulation. We are also dedicated to helping unwanted animals and teaching humane treatment for all living creatures

TLC's Board of Directors

TLC is governed by a Board of Directors elected each year by the membership. For 2010-2011:

President	Carolyn Upton
Vice-president	Arlene Kosack
Secretary	Alice Clark
Treasurer	Gayle Gannaway
Director	Claudia Scarbrough
Director	Louise Germeroth
Director	Lynda Brinkley
Director	RuthAnn Jones
Director	Mary Waites

TLC's Mission Statement

Assist in the prevention of cruelty to animals
Relieve suffering among animals
Improve the quality of life of animals
Provide for humane education

The Goal of TLC Humane Society

Our goal is to assure that every animal is a wanted and cared for animal and to continue working for the animals we love until all animals are loved and cared for. Since 1977 we have made possible the spay/neuter and adoption of thousands of dogs and cats.

Maintained a foster care program providing care for hundreds of animals through a network of volunteer homes.
Established a stray spay-neuter assistance program to help reduce the number of unwanted animals and to improve the quality of life for the pet and its owner.
Worked an active adoption program giving more than 4,000 animals a chance at a better life.
Operated a lost and found service, reuniting hundreds of animals with their owners.
Operated an animal cruelty reporting service, ensuring that animal cruelty and neglect will be investigated and stopped.

TLC Humane Society Policies

TLC Humane Society has been, and will continue to be, operated as a "no-kill" organization. However, under extreme circumstances and conditions, we prefer not to rule out euthanasia as an option, if this is deemed to be the most humane and viable option after careful review on a case by case basis. Euthanasia is considered only for temperament or health reasons.
TLC does not euthanize animals because they have not been adopted. Consequently there are times that TLC cannot accept animals if there are no volunteers to care for them.
All animals adopted through our Society either are spayed or neutered, healthy, and microchipped unless there are unusual circumstances.
TLC pre-qualifies potential adopters and will decline an adoption should circumstances warrant.
All animals adopted through TLC have had routine immunizations and worming. Tests for feline leukemia and heartworm are provided when appropriate.
TLC is opposed to the removing of a cat's claws.

TLC Humane Society volunteers have been serving the north Georgia area for more than 30 years at no cost to the tax payers. Strays have been reduced by the thousands both through our adoption program and because of our rigid policy of having each animal spayed or neutered.

What does the TLC in TLC Humane Society stand for?

TLC, or the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Humane Society, is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Georgia. Native Cherokee occupied the area until gold was discovered in North Georgia. The native Cherokee were then removed to the Oklahoma territory. The Cherokee name for the area that is presently Dahlonega was "Talonaga" meaning "precious metal." Lumpkin County was named for Wilson Lumpkin, who was governor of Georgia from 1831 to 1835. The TLC in TLC Humane Society stands for Talonaga Lumpkin County.

The more well known meaning of "tender loving care" can also apply as we do take tender loving care of our animals, but is not the intended meaning of the term. Another suggested meaning was “time, love, and commitment” – something we would like all animals to receive when adopted.