Katie Griffeth was a constant, comforting presence at Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter (MOAS) for more than two decades. She was a familiar face crouching near kennels, assisting with surgeries or just bustling throughout the hallways.
“She gave her entire all and just her life to this place, and it was out of love,” said Samantha Gable, one of Griffeth’s daughters. “When she would come here, she would light up. People would light up around her. And it was just, it was wonderful.”
The beloved veterinary technician died last June at age 52. But her legacy remains at MOAS in the form of the newly dedicated Katie Griffeth Surgical Center, a tribute to her more than two decades of service.
Nearly 50 friends, family and colleagues gathered at the shelter on April 13 to honor Griffeth and the naming of the center. After refreshments, the group shared stories and laughter, and often tears, as they remembered Griffeth.
Former executive director Shaina Knight, who coordinated the event, read a plaque that was to be displayed on the door of and inside the surgical suite.
The plaque reads: “In loving memory of Katie and her dedicated service to the animals of MOAS for 22 years. Her unwavering dedication to the most vulnerable animals touched countless lives. Her compassion, tireless efforts, and deep love for the neediest of animals will forever inspire and guide our mission."
Griffeth was MOAS’ first employee, starting before the shelter building was built in 2002. Gable, then in middle school, remembers her mother’s passion.
“She just took off and ran with it, and she did everything that she could to make sure that they had the funds to keep going,” Gable said.
Assisting in over 100,000 surgeries, Griffeth’s devotion to the animals she cared for was remembered at the dedication. Dr. Lynn Beckmann, a veterinarian at MOAS, shared stories of their neglected animal rescues, praising Griffeth’s extensive work in animal welfare.
“Her genuine heart for the animals. I mean, there was just never an animal that she just said, ‘Oh, I don't like that dog, or I don't like that cat.’ She wouldn't,” Beckmann said. “She'd always give them the benefit of the doubt, and (that’s) probably why they reacted so positively with her, too.”
Griffeth’s love for animals wasn’t just for the cats and dogs at MOAS.
Gable, who lives in Nicholson, recalls the countless times her childhood home would be a sanctuary for everything from groundhogs to skunks.
“Our house was always filled with animals, which was great,” Gable said. “It was kind of cool, sometimes chaotic, but it was great because I knew that at least they were being taken care of.”
As an advocate for spay/neuter surgeries and rehoming stray animals, Griffeth’s outreach inspired not only shelter employees and volunteers, but also the community.
“You could see that passion coming through, and that's really what drove all of us to be better and to want more, and to know we could do more for the animals,” Knight said.
Knight hopes the newly named surgical center will continue to serve both counties’ animals as a lasting reminder of Griffeth’s spirit.
“I hope that (people) just remember her level of dedication and compassion and care for the animals because they always came first. She always knew that it wasn't their choice to be here,” Knight said.