The Fort Worth Animal Shelter is at capacity, having taken in about 2,800 animals during April and May, according to a press release.
Mayor Betsy Price also addressed the animal shelter’s overcapacity issue on Facebook, urging citizens to visit local animal shelters to adopt or foster a pet.
“The Fort Worth Animal Shelter is experiencing an overcapacity situation, with approximately 2,800 animals entering the shelter in April and May,” Price said. “Now more than ever, residents are encouraged to head to the shelters and find a furry friend. Adoption fees continue to be waived. All pets have been spayed/neutered, microchipped and received their first round of vaccinations. Don’t wait, adopt today!”
Despite the fact that the City of Fort Worth opened its fourth shelter, the North Animal Campus, about a month ago, Supervisor Anastasia Ramsey stated that the facility was almost full.
“We are over capacity, approximately 40% over capacity,” Ramsey said. “We have about 1,000 animals in our care across our four locations.”
Individuals who are unable or uncertain about adopting a pet may still contribute to the overcapacity problem by fostering a dog or cat, according to Dr. Tim Morton, assistant director of Code Compliance and supervisor of Fort Worth’s Animal Care & Control Services.
“Fostering opens up kennel space to make room for the steady intake of new pets coming into the shelter each day,” Morton said. “Right now, every single kennel is priceless.”
Despite the opening of the new North Animal Campus, the number of animals housed in the city’s four animal care and adoption centers, including the Chuck and Brenda Silcox Animal Care and Adoption Center and two PetSmart Adoption Centers, keeps rising.
Currently, the animals most in need of adoption are large and medium-sized dogs, as well as cats.
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, animal shelter intake decreased. However, as life returns to normal, this trend has essentially reversed.