Fort Valley State University, the historically Black educational institution in Georgia, has opened the State Animal Facility for Emergencies (SAFE) Center on campus. It is the only facility in the state of Georgia that has been established specifically to serve as a home for animals that have lost their homes due to natural disasters.
The 7,800-square-foot facility has the capacity to house 80 cats, 105 dogs, and up to 30 horses. In addition, there is a fenced pasture which can accommodate other animals.
The university was selected for the facility because it is centrally located, is near many interstate highways, and has a School of Veterinary Medicine. The university may use the facility for courses on homeland security, agrosecurity, and biodefense training.
