As Director of Walton County Animal Control in Georgia, I spend much of my day photographing the many dogs and cats that are brought into our shelter. While up for adoption, their photographs are posted on WaltonPets.net. But once they leave the shelter, the photos come down. Displayed here are a few of my favorites that have come through our shelter. There are notes and reflections on the captions of the larger photos when clicked to enlarge.  I love talking about shelter photography; email me anytime for tips or just to discuss.  

"To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."  - Psalm 30:12

I just saw your photography website, I didn't realize you are the one who takes these beautiful photos of dogs at the shelter. Your photos are amazing, Bill! You are very talented. I wish there were more wonderful people like you working with animals, especially here in Southern California!  I live in Los Angeles, and work in the film industry, and I can honestly tell you that I haven't encountered many people as talented as you are even though LA is full of photographers. You are the real deal. Much gratitude for what you do! You have a heart of gold.  -April 30, 2012

Great job! And i LOVE the pictures, that shows that you guys take pride in finding a home for these babies. Who ever your photographer is give them BIG kudos. - April 2013

You do great work, the pictures alone show the time, emotion, and love that go into getting shelter pets a home. You have responded quickly to all my inquiries and your actions speak volumes...keep up the good work!! - April 2013

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy looking at your photos. As a wildlife artist, I really appreciate the quality of your work! You capture the personality of each animal beautifully.  My guess is that you have single-handedly been responsible for many adoptions.  - November 14, 2014

We recently adopted a dog, and during the process I've been watching the Walton Co Animal Control Site.  I want to compliment you on the beautiful photography.  I'm a hobbyist photographer myself, and appreciate the skill that you bring to the photos. My mouth dropped open when I compared this to what I remembered about the website when we first moved to the area (2004/5). Great work and I'm sure your photos are helping make a difference for these animals. - October 30, 2012

I have no doubt your photos help these pups find new homes.  You really have an eye and talent to capture the life and personality of these pups.  Thank you for caring. I wish you were the Ag Commissioner so you could implement changes with our local shelters. Your shelter is so positive.....Really an inspiration and shining  light in this sometime grim environment of rescue. Thanks again for all you do, Town and Country Jack Russell Terrier Rescue - May 30, 2012

Thanks, Bill!!! Your photos are so compelling... they really seem to reveal the personalities, which makes it easier to think about driving six hours to adopt. Thanks very much, again. -April 13, 2012 

Thank you !!!  I'm so impressed by your photos!!  They are gorgeous, both shelter and non-shelter are incredible.  For you to have this much talent and devote your talent and time to the animals says so much about you!!! Thank you again for your love and dedication to these innocent ones!!  -April 13, 2012

Shelter Director Bill Wise has a true gift, to show such emotion and to use his talent in a wonderful way!!!I think that's awesome. He's great! Good luck to you all and the animals y'all are working so hard to place!  - Bark Avenue, April 12, 2012

I just wanted to say that your photo work of the Walton pets is so nicely done and eye-catching.  I feel sure that it aids immensely in their rescues and adoptions!  I have a small photo biz and have offered to donate photo services to some of the local shelters, but no one has taken me up on it yet.  I wish they would view your work and see what a huge difference it can make.  Anyway, I'll be viewing the Walton Pets site in the future as much to view your lovely work as to check out the animals. -May 25, 2012

The dogs' photos and expressions are truly moving. The shelter director takes these photos and he takes time to truly find the personality of the dogs and cats in the photos.  There is a special place in heaven for him! -May 16, 2012

 I would like to let you know how much I enjoy following  your shelter site, waltonpets.net.  Your photo's of the animals are beautiful.  I do believe it aids in them getting adopted/rescued.  You have a talent. -May 15, 2012

Your pictures are wonderful and we will definitely use them whenever we rescue from you!  -You Lucky Dog Rescue, April 20, 2012

Thank you also for the work that you do with the shelter.  I know that you do the photography and we are so blessed to have you work in our County.  -April 21, 2012

OMG! Another amazing photo of a gorgeous dog! I wish you were here in NY. All the dogs waiting to die would get homes! -Senior Pets NYC, May 18, 2012

P.S I love the photos you take of all the animals as well!!  AWESOME JOB!!!!!  -April 16, 2012

You do wonderful work catching the essence of these animals. Do you do any family portraits? Maybe you could do the same for my family? Just wondering!  -March 23, 2012

Let me compliment you on your fabulous photography of the dogs.  I think this helps a lot in adopting them out!  -Cross-poster  March 23, 2012

Thanks and do you take photos of horses? Would you come to Danielsville?  How much? –March 21, 2012

I loved your section on how to take good photos of shelter pets!  I volunteer at a cat sanctuary in New Jersey, where I do articles for our "feed the cat" program, similar to "feed the children." Your tips were priceless! Thank you!   -March 20, 21012

Thank you for the wonderful pics you take of your animals and the hard work you do as their advocate.  I wish more shelter directors were like you!  -Life is Labs Rescue, March 13, 2012

Dear Mr. Wise, I wanted to let you know that the reason I even looked at the Waltonpets website is due to your photography. I have a friend that adopted a puppy from your shelter and when she showed me the photo, I was so impressed that I had to see your website. Your photography is beautiful, and I'm sure makes a huge difference in the amount of animals your shelter is able to have adopted or rescued. Thanks for all you do! –Hansen Family, March 6, 2012

Thanks so much!  And I have to tell you…your pictures are absolutely amazing!!!!!   You do a fantastic job! –March, 2012

I have intended to write to you and thank you for taking the time to get such awesome photos!  AND for sharing your experience with us through your website page, the write-ups are clever also. Keep up the good work, daunting as it is...you...and your staff...are VERY appreciated!  -February 2012

I think the photos you guys take of the animals are amazing. I have seen them posted on Facebook from a friend for a long time, and I'm always impressed. They beat out any other animal shelter in the area hands down!  -February 1, 2012

It looks like Tacoma was adopted. That’s great news. BTW, your photos are fabulous. You do a wonderful job of presenting the dogs and cats available for adoption. I went to your website of nature pictures. They are spectacular. Do you ever sell any of these? I love your work and would like to purchase some photos if they available for sale. Thanks for all you do at the shelter! –January 31, 2012

I think your website (waltonpets.net) is wonderful and I really get the feeling you want to help all the dogs in need at your facility. I would like to send a check to aid in whatever way you think is best. I live in Massachusetts so there is no other way I can help. - December 28, 2011

I just wanted to let you know that people are just constantly raving about your photographs on the Facebook page! Beautiful work!! -December 7, 2012

Mr. Wise, I volunteer for Middle Mutts. I hope you do not mind my writing to you, but I just wished to compliment you on the beautiful photographs you take of your dogs and cats at the shelter. They are indeed wonderful to view! –December 3, 2011

I wish we could clone you for the rest of the county shelters in Georgia.  Love your pix!!!  November 29, 2011

I am just an animal lover and volunteer who gets a bunch of rescue emails every day.  I wanted to commend you on having the most articulate and non-hysterical rescue pleas I have seen in quite some time.  Your website is informative and your pictures are great.  I wish that every rescuer would take a cue from you!  I am sharing this with my friend Christy who also commented on your excellent website. –October 14, 2011

Please let the person know who took the picture of Angus it was a beautiful shot, which is what caught my attention and made us want to adopt.  -October 4, 2011

KUDOS to the photographer taking photos of these babies!!! It does make a difference!  -September 26, 2011

I enjoy your artsy photos of the adoptable dogs and think they must help with placements. Thanks for all that you do for the animals!  -September 18, 2011

 I appreciate your time and effort on behalf of the pups, and the photographer too…  Wait, is that you also?  -August 2011

Really, all of your photos are just fabulous!! I have told many people to check out your shelter and see what a difference good pics can make!!  Did you have special classes in photography? You could certainly have another career if you wanted, in pet photography! -August 2011