CINCINNATI — A national database that tracks animal shelters warns many are full and “entering their fourth year of having too many animals and not enough adoptions.”
The director for Shelters Animal Count calls it a “national capacity crisis,” and local shelters are feeling the impact.
“We are beyond our maximum capacity at this point for dogs on site,” said Jessica Grimes, senior foster manager at Cincinnati Animal CARE.
Grimes said the shelter has been dealing with this problem for some time.
“I think a lot of people are going through a housing crisis right now,” he said. “People who are moving or going through eviction or losing their homes.”
Pets can be expensive. Veterinary care is also possible.
Grimes said the shelter is seeing an influx of piglets and puppies and urged pet owners to make sure they spay and neuter their pets to prevent new births, leading to more sprays.
Microchipping is also key, so shelters can ensure that stray animals are reunited with their owners.
Recently, Cincinnati Animal CARE ran out of towels and blankets. After a plea to the community, Grimes said the public stepped up.
“We already have extra blankets, which we appreciate,” she said.
Grimes said the shelter could still use donations of dog food, as well as supplies for kitten season.
The shelter is especially in need of volunteers and caregivers, as well as people who will adopt some of their pets.
During a recent Valentine’s Day adoption event, the shelter found homes for nearly 100 dogs.
“(It) was amazing, but a lot of those dogs came from foster homes, so it didn’t make a huge impact on the site,” Grimes said.
Meanwhile, at Boone County Animal Services, the number of dogs and cats entering the shelter is relatively stable.
The shelter’s biggest challenge right now is that it has been closed to the public since January for adoptions, but continues to take in animals. The grand opening for the new shelter is scheduled for March 16.
Staff at the shelter hope the number of animals in its care will decrease once adoptions can resume.
At Kenton County Animal Services, the shelter went from overcapacity in the summer to being undercapacity late last year.
“I wish I could say these are black and white solutions, but a lot of them are really lucky,” said Kelsey Maccombs, director of Kenton County Animal Services.
The shelter saw an increase in intake last year, but Maccombs said the shelter has been able to strengthen its foster network. The shelter also used social media to better connect strays with their owners.
“We get a lot of calls every day for people who can’t keep their pet for whatever reason, whether it’s they can’t afford it, they’re moving to a place that doesn’t allow pets,” she said.
Grimes wants owners in that position to know help is available. Many of the shelter’s animals are strays.
“These dogs come from somewhere,” he said. “They came from home. They come from people and a lot of people don’t know that there are resources available that can help you before you get into a crisis mode.”
You can learn more about Cincinnati Animal CARE resources here and Kenton County Animals Services here.
