The Humane Society of Central Texas is in dire need of fosters and owners for their dogs. Although they normally receive 10-20 animals per day, they were inundated with 137 animals in the last week alone. The problem is that there isn’t enough room for everyone. Employees have not only seen a higher intake number, they’ve had less people claiming lost animals and fewer adoptions.
According to the shelter’s Associate Executive Director April Plemons, “Normally, we say if you can come in and adopt it would be great […] Today, we are saying if you can’t come in and adopt, animals will be euthanized.” This is not the advertising campaign they wish to have, but a necessary outcome of an overcrowded shelter. Because of this, the shelter is offering free adoptions today – Tuesday, May 23.
Earlier this year, the Waco Animal Shelter, in partnership with the Humane Society of Central Texas, saw an increase in euthanasia rates as well. Normally they pride themselves on being a no-kill shelter, but Director of Animal Services, Delfi Messinger, said things were changing. Sometimes, animals had to be euthanized due to time and space issues – meaning the dogs had been there for too long without anyone adopting them.
“In the past with time and space, the animal was here for 45 days, and we simply have so many new animals coming in that it got pushed to the top of the list – it had been here for so long that for lack of more time and for lack of space (more kennels), it was put to sleep,” Messinger told the Baylor Lariat. “That’s really our goal, is to have no animals euthanized for this unnecessary reason. That’s why we depend on the community, because if three days were going by and people weren’t coming to look at pets, then we would have to look at time and space, and that’s the one thing we hate to do.”
Thankfully, when the shelter partnered with the Humane Society for Central Texas, they were able to keep their no-kill status. But things are changing at both locations as homeless pets have begun pouring in without any claiming or adopting them.
If you’re unable to adopt, consider fostering a dog. This makes room at the shelter for other animals and prevents the need for euthanasia. It gives two animals a second chance at life. The Humane Society of Central Texas is located in Waco and is open Monday-Friday 11:00am – 6:00pm and Saturdays 11:00am – 5:00pm. You can call the shelter at 254-754-1454 and press zero (0) to speak to an operator.
For more information about the Humane Society of Central Texas, visit their website at www.humanesocietycentraltexas.org.
