Animal shelter continues to deal with increasing dog intakes

By Leah Rainwater

With the latest bout of waived fees, the St. Joseph Animal Shelter has hosted adoption specials more times than they can count this summer, continuously working to clear kennel space and find animals homes.

“It’s really been because we’ve been so overwhelmed with animals this year,” said Aubrey Silvey, the senior animal specialist for dogs at the animal shelter. “Our intakes have been really high, especially with puppies. Um, we’ve seen more puppies than we have in the last five years.”

The Friends of the Animal Shelter waived adoption fees Aug. 2-11 for pets who have been in the shelter long-term, and it’s certainly not the first time over the past few months. Silvey said between people getting “COVID puppies” on top of not spaying or neutering animals, the domestic animal population has increased.

But some of the animals just aren’t getting adopted.

“Typically when we run the specials and everybody is included, the cute puppies are getting adopted, the small dogs are getting adopted,” Silvey said.

Fees that have recently been waived were for animals who have been staying at the shelter for more than 30 days.

“It’s proven that typically, once they’ve been here for 30 days, you’re gonna start to see some pretty bad effects on the animals’ mental well-being,” Silvey said.

The animal shelter will also be hosting a big adoption event on Sept. 7.

More details on the event will be posted on the animal shelter’s Facebook page as the date gets closer.