Rabun Paws 4 Life, Inc. is a historic and trailblazing animal welfare organization based in Tiger, Georgia, that holds the distinction of being the first open-admission, no-kill municipal animal shelter and animal control in the state of Georgia. Opened on November 14, 2012, out of a desperate need to provide humane care for Rabun County’s stray and surrendered animals, the organization has since become a model for compassionate, community-centered animal welfare.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Rabun Paws 4 Life is committed to making a positive difference in Rabun County by providing no-kill animal control and shelter services that protect animals from abuse, neglect, and abandonment. The organization also serves as the contracted Animal Control agency for Rabun County, enforcing animal ordinances, investigating cruelty and abuse cases, and responding to dangerous animal situations — all while maintaining its core no-kill philosophy.

The shelter’s adoption program offers dogs and cats a second chance at life, with adoption fees that cover spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, and heartworm testing (for canines) or feline leukemia testing (for felines). Barn cat adoptions are also available for those seeking working cats for their property.

Rabun Paws 4 Life also operates a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cats, humanely reducing the free-roaming cat population over time without euthanasia. Affordable spay and neuter services are a cornerstone of the organization’s mission to end pet overpopulation in the region.

The shelter is located at 261 Boen Creek Road in Tiger, Georgia, and is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For shelter inquiries, call 706-782-5422. For Animal Control, call 706-982-3397. Learn more at rabunpaws4life.com.