Canine CellMates

Canine CellMates We are a rehabilitative program, involving felony offenders, in and out of custody, and rescue dogs
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Canine CellMates is a program that we believe will have a large ripple effect on our community. For the dogs that are pulled from Fulton County Animal Control, they will be socialized, trained and adopted into loving homes, when they were facing almost certain euthanasia at the shelter. For the inmate handlers, they are given the opportunity to exhibit responsibility and accountability with measur

able goals to attain. They have the opportunity to experience positive physical contact and unconditional love. They learn skills that may enable them to more successfully re-enter the workplace, and a confidence to do so based on the successes they have experienced in this program. They have the opportunity to interact with people that are outside their normal circle of influence, and learn and grow socially. Through these people, both volunteers and speakers, they are able to expand their dreams to include possibilities they had not conceived of before. This program allows these men to grow into better people— less likely to re-offend, and more likely to become better citizens of our community, better children to their parents, and better parents to their children. Our involvement with the handlers doesn't stop when they get released. If they have given us 100% when they are in the program, we then assist them in their search for jobs and housing, help with furnishings, food and transportation, and continue to support them while they strive to become the men we know they can be.

Need a little brightness in your day? Peppa is here to help. ❤️This beautiful American Bulldog mix has a smile that coul...
06/11/2026

Need a little brightness in your day? Peppa is here to help. ❤️

This beautiful American Bulldog mix has a smile that could melt the hardest heart and a personality that fills every room she walks into. Whether she’s wiggling with excitement for a walk, leaning in for affection and a little shared kiss, or simply looking at you with those soulful eyes, Peppa has a way of making the world feel a little lighter.

Dogs like Peppa remind us why we do what we do. Rescue dogs don’t just need saving — they save us right back.

And honestly? Some days, one happy dog smile can change everything.

Need a little more light in your life? Peppa is waiting to be that light.

Peppa is a graduate of Class 10 of Beyond The Bars. She is obedience trained, crate trained, fully vetted and on heartworm preventative. An adoption application gets the process started - caninecellmates.org

Thank you . . . Thank you . . . Thank you!!Thank you to everyone who made this possible!! And now . . . off to work on ...
06/08/2026

Thank you . . . Thank you . . . Thank you!!

Thank you to everyone who made this possible!! And now . . . off to work on Class 11!!

One last sentiment from one of the men who have been in the program, to wrap up the celebration of our 13th Anniversary!...
06/07/2026

One last sentiment from one of the men who have been in the program, to wrap up the celebration of our 13th Anniversary!

This one is from Sean, who was a participant in our in-custody program in Cycle 16 - 10 years ago now.

This is what Sean wanted to share about his participation in, and what he took away from, Canine CellMates:

"Canine CellMates represented hope for me when I was in a very deep dark place. Their commitment to me has not wavered. They taught me what family is. A decade has nearly passed now, free from incarceration and drugs. Canine CellMates impact and legacy continues in me and my family. "

Sean now lives far away from Georgia. He is working on his pilots license, and his aircraft mechanic certification. He is married . . . he is happy.

How could we ask from more than that?

We want more impacts like these - do you? If you do, please honor our work, and the impact it has, with a gift to wrap up our anniversary week.

13 years. So many lives.

Please click here to donate: https://mtyc.co/s1kkif

As we come to the close of Canine CellMates' 13th Anniversary Week, we want to share a couple more stories of transforma...
06/07/2026

As we come to the close of Canine CellMates' 13th Anniversary Week, we want to share a couple more stories of transformation.

The dogs tell their stories through wagging tails, happy dances, and the way they lean into the people they trust. But when it comes to putting the impact of this program into words, no one says it better than the men whose lives have been changed.

This reflection comes from Kam, a graduate of Beyond The Bars Class 6:

"Canine CellMates had a major impact on my life because it helped me recognize behaviors and thought patterns that I had always viewed as normal. Through the program, I learned how my upbringing, anger, financial stress, and reactions to social situations were influencing my decisions and limiting my growth.

It showed me that change was possible and that I could think, respond, and move through life differently.

The program became the foundation of my personal development journey and helped lead me toward the mindset of self-improvement, leadership, and helping others through my work."

We are incredibly proud of Kam.

The truth is, this journey wasn't always easy for him. There were moments when growth felt uncomfortable—moments when facing hard truths seemed almost impossible. But that's what Beyond The Bars is about: doing the hard work, finding hope, and discovering that a different future is possible.

One year after completing this life-changing program, look where his mind—and his heart—have taken him.

This is why we do what we do.
For the dogs.
For the men.
For the families and communities waiting for them to come home.

If you'd like to help us continue creating stories like Kam's as we celebrate 13 years of Canine CellMates, there's still time to make a gift. We simply couldn't do this work without your support. ❤️🐾

Please click here to donate: https://mtyc.co/rklb5g

Anniversary celebrations are the perfect time to share stories like this one… and we couldn’t wait to share this girl’s ...
06/06/2026

Anniversary celebrations are the perfect time to share stories like this one… and we couldn’t wait to share this girl’s journey.

From the moment we met her, we were drawn to her sweet, gentle spirit—and that massive head was only outmatched by the even bigger heart inside it. ❤️ She had clearly been used as a money-making machine, with multiple litters in her past, before being discarded.

But those days are over. No more puppies. No more rejection. Only love ahead.

Honey graduated from Class 9 of Beyond The Bars, and her new dad was at graduation—beaming with pride and ready to take her home.

Now known as “Regina George,” she is absolutely living her best life.

Here’s what her dad has to say:

“Regina George (formerly Honey) is living her best life. She’s become a local celebrity in her Midtown neighborhood—making her rounds to coffee shops and condos. The Caribou Coffee regulars look forward to seeing her every morning. She gets treats from concierges at several high rises before heading off to work with me (she LOVES car rides with the window down!).

She’s been working on her fitness with daily walks in Piedmont Park, enjoys dog park playtime before it gets too hot, and even spent a weekend in a cabin in the North Georgia mountains.”

At home with her dad and two cat siblings, Reggie is exactly where she was meant to be.

And we couldn’t be happier for her.

Stories like this are only possible because of this mission—utilizing shelter dogs to break the cycle of incarceration.

As we celebrate our 13th anniversary, your support helps make more second chances like this possible. If you’d like to give, we would be deeply grateful.

Please click here to donate: https://mtyc.co/38uz3g

As you know, this program isn’t just about dogs who need a second chance—it’s also about men who have found themselves i...
06/05/2026

As you know, this program isn’t just about dogs who need a second chance—it’s also about men who have found themselves in cycles of behavior that lead to repeated incarceration. Patterns they often don’t have the tools to change on their own.

The truth is, most of us can’t make meaningful change in isolation. We all need tools, support, and a little grace along the way.

John was part of Cycle 22 of our in-custody program in 2018–2019, and he has remained part of the Canine CellMates family ever since.

Here’s what John shared about his experience:

“Cycle 22 of Canine CellMates really helped me and showed me things I didn’t realize—like how to love and care for animals, teamwork, responsibility, and accountability. Being part of the animals’ lives helped me feel like I had accomplished something meaningful. I also had a friend—someone who loved me, showed me affection, and made me feel important. Canine CellMates is a very prominent and important part of my life and helped me to grow. I hope it stays around for years to come to help others along their journey. It was a challenging and learning experience, and I would do it again and again.”

We are deeply grateful for John—and proud of the growth, reflection, and path he continues to build for himself today.

And this is exactly why this work matters.

Because with the right support, tools, and opportunity, change is possible.

Thirteen years in, we are still humbled by the power of this work. John’s story is just one of many, and it’s made possible by a community that believes in second chances. Thank you for helping us keep going.

Please click here to donate in celebration of 13 years of positive change: https://mtyc.co/38uz3g


06/05/2026

🎉 WE DID IT! 🎉

This morning, thanks to this incredible community, we reached our goal of raising $13,000—unlocking the full $26,000 matching gift from the Loomis Charitable Foundation!

To everyone who donated, shared a post, cheered us on, or simply believed in this mission: thank you. You made this happen.

And the best part? We're not done yet.

We still have two days left in our 13th Anniversary celebration, and every additional dollar brings us one step closer to a dream we've been working toward for years—a permanent home for Canine CellMates.

For 13 years, you've helped us utilize shelter dogs to break the cycle of incarceration, creating second chances for both dogs and people. Together, we've proven that hope, healing, and transformation are possible.

If you've been thinking about making a gift, there's still time to join the celebration and help build the future of Canine CellMates.

Thank you for believing in second chances. ❤️

Donate here: https://mtyc.co/db5p4f

We love a happily-ever-after story… how about you?As we continue celebrating 13 years of utilizing shelter dogs to break...
06/05/2026

We love a happily-ever-after story… how about you?

As we continue celebrating 13 years of utilizing shelter dogs to break the cycle of incarceration, we’ve got another adoption story that just makes us smile.

We fell in love with this super-smart, super-sweet, super-handsome boy the moment we met him—and he absolutely lived up to it in the program. Eager to learn, highly engaged, and always tuned in to his handlers, he was truly the whole package.

At the same time, he was a young, strong dog with a “busy brain” and the attention span of a gnat (we say that with love 😂). We knew he needed the right home—someone who understood his needs, his size and strength, and who was committed to continuing his training and growth.

Enter Matthew.

From the start, Matthew stood out—thoughtful, intentional, and full of good questions. He never rushed the process, taking time to consider everything carefully. When he finally said, “I want him,” we knew it was exactly right.

Now for the best part—here’s what Matthew has to say about Taco:

“Taco is perfect.

My only complaint is that he’s decided his wake-up time is exactly 6:02 a.m., so we made a deal: I adjust my morning routine in exchange for evening cuddles. He feels like part of the family now. He’s met his grandparents (who can’t get enough of him), neighbors and their dogs, and most of my friends—who keep bringing him gifts.

In the morning, he pulls out every toy he owns and brings them to the couch, which he’s claimed as HIS throne. I work, he naps—that’s the rule.

He’s perfectly potty trained, settles well in his kennel, and when I leave him out, I often come home to him on the couch surrounded by a few shoes or jackets he can reach… which may be the cutest thing ever. He hasn’t destroyed anything except his toys.

He’s famous with my family, friends, coworkers, baristas—everyone he meets. I’m almost getting jealous of how often I hear, “Wow, he’s SO beautiful.”

He is, quite simply, the best thing that has happened to me.”

How wonderful is that?

If you’d like to support more stories like Taco’s in honor of our 13 years, we’d be so grateful for your gift.

Please click here to donate: https://mtyc.co/wbk7uf

****** 13 Years by the Numbers ******13 years of believing that dogs and people deserve second chances.• 215 dogs rescue...
06/05/2026

****** 13 Years by the Numbers ******

13 years of believing that dogs and people deserve second chances.

• 215 dogs rescued from open-intake shelters
• 205 dogs trained
• 194 dogs adopted into loving homes
• 400+ men served through our programs
• $973,360 saved in incarceration costs through Beyond The Bars
• $24,000 saved in judicial costs

But numbers never tell the whole story.

They don't tell you about the scared shelter dog who learned to trust again.

They don't tell you about the participant who discovered confidence, purpose, and hope.

They don't tell you about the family who found their perfect companion.

They don't tell you about the volunteers, donors, and supporters who made every success possible.

For 13 years, this community has transformed lives—both human and canine.

Today, we're asking you to help us continue that work.

Thanks to a generous matching challenge from Loomis Charitable Foundation, every dollar you give will be matched 2-to-1, tripling the impact of your donation.

Help us write the next chapter of second chances.

❤️ Donate today and triple your impact.

Click here to donate: https://mtyc.co/q6oiwe



Who rescued who?During our 13th Anniversary week, we couldn't resist sharing another happy ending—because we know you lo...
06/04/2026

Who rescued who?

During our 13th Anniversary week, we couldn't resist sharing another happy ending—because we know you love these stories as much as we do.

Meet Pebbles.

When she came into our program, she was a skinny little Vizsla mix who struggled to put on weight. But what she lacked in pounds, she made up for in heart. Sweet, smart, and full of love, she quickly won over everyone she met.

After graduation, she waited patiently for her family.

And then... they found her.

Her future mom and dad lived all the way in Denver. They saw her picture and couldn't stop thinking about her. Driving to Atlanta for a dog seemed a little crazy... until they met Pebbles.

Then it made perfect sense.

This is what they shared with us:

"When we first saw Pebbles' photos, we were hooked! Living in Denver, the thought of traveling all the way to Atlanta to pick up a dog seemed a little crazy. Nonetheless, we headed there, met her, fell in love, and brought her home.

She's super sweet and loving! She clearly had great training and socialization, and she's popular with every dog at the park. She wants to kiss and cuddle everyone who comes into our home. Pebbles is a wonderful addition to our family."

From an uncertain future to a life full of mountain adventures, dog parks, and endless cuddles.

This is why we do what we do.

Every dog deserves a family. Every family deserves the joy a rescue dog can bring.

As we celebrate 13 years of Canine CellMates, we're asking for your help to create more stories just like Pebbles'. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Loomis Charitable Foundation, every gift made this week is TRIPLED through their 2-for-1 matching challenge.

One rescued dog.
One forever family.
A lifetime of love.

Please click this link to donate: https://mtyc.co/k17fhg

Address

981 Howell Mill Road, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA
30318

Telephone

+16785282200

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