Local animal shelters reach maximum capacity

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Due to an increase in stray and surrendered animals, local shelters are reaching maximum capacity. 

Shelters all across the country have been experiencing a space crisis for a while now.

“So, for us, right now we have way more animals particularly dogs than we have truly humane spaces for them. We are doubling up animals and we’re putting them in temporary crates. We’re putting them in offices. We’re doing everything we can to care for as many animals as possible,” Executive Director of McKamey Animal Center Inga Fricke said. 

The shelters want the public to know that they can help in many ways: by reaching out and offering to foster, donate, volunteer or ultimately adopt. Resources are offered for better information on how to help animals before admitting them to the shelters.

“We have a lot of animals in foster care currently. There’s 262 of our 477 animals in our care. 200 are in foster care so without the foster parents we would be way over capacity. The only reason we’ve been able to help so many is because they’ve stepped up,” Foster Coordinator at the Humane Educational Society Emilee Johnson said.

Along with getting proper information about how to care for animals, the shelters encourage people to consider fostering or adopting animals that have been there for longer.

“.. if you’re looking for a new pet, I would consider some of our long timers that have been overlooked. Because just because they don’t show well here in the shelter doesn’t mean they’re not amazing house guests,” Johnson said.

If you would like to get involved with your local shelters, you can visit their facilities or online.