North Texas animal shelters are facing an alarming overcrowding crisis this summer, forcing many to halt intake and schedule euthanization.
Despite it being illegal in both Dallas and Fort Worth to not spay or neuter pets or to breed them without a permit, local animal shelters are being slammed with overpopulation woes.
“We don’t like to use terminology such as desperate, but I would say at our current situation it would be an accurate representation of where we are,” explained Amanda Atwell, a Dallas Animal Services (DAS) public information officer, according to WFAA.
While DAS is at a staggering 130% capacity, Fort Worth city shelters are at 99%. New arrivals continue to stream in due to owner surrenders and strays.
The Fourth of July presents an added strain since area shelters typically see a surge in lost pets brought in after being spooked by fireworks.
Cats and dogs will have to be euthanized for space in the coming days.
“Yes, we do have to make hard decisions on animals that would be adoptable in many circumstances,” Atwell told WFAA.
In a bid to mitigate the crisis, shelters like DAS have been waiving adoption fees as well as offering different perks, including a $250 credit toward a pet’s first veterinarian visit and a Petco gift card.
For anyone struggling to provide financially for their pet, some shelters and animal welfare associations are also offering free food and low-cost veterinarian services.
“If it’s something simple like food, the shelter offers food,” said Anastasia Ramsey, the acting superintendent at Fort Worth’s Silcox Animal Shelter, according to WFAA. “These are all things that we will provide for you.”
Many local shelters are looking for residents to lend a hand and temporarily take in a pet.
For instance, the Kaufman County Pet Adoption Center is offering fosters of some larger dogs up to $250 to let them stay for a period of three weeks.
DAS has a foster program that includes dogs and cats of all ages in need of short- and long-term stays.
“We want to make sure these animals get out as quickly as possible and have the lowest length of stay in the shelter,” Atwell told WFAA.
As The Dallas Express previously reported, local animal shelters have been under strain since the start of the year despite some rescued pups like Toast and Max garnering plenty of public interest.