FORT WORTH, Texas — Overcrowding at North Texas animal shelters is an issue every summer, but this summer is even worse.
Officials at Dallas Animal Services say their main shelter is at 130% capacity for dogs. In Fort Worth, the combined capacity of the city’s shelters is 99%, numbers that are only expected to grow throughout the summer.
In Kaufman County, officials said they had suspended owner surrenders and stray intake for all dogs and puppies due to being over capacity.
“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,” said Amanda Atwell, public information officer for Dallas Animal Services.
Some of the cats and dogs, including several young puppies, may be euthanized in the coming days because there isn’t enough space to keep them while more pets continue coming in.
“Yes, we do have to make hard decisions on animals that would be adoptable in many circumstances,” said Atwell.
Both cities have seen an increase for many reasons, most notably pets that aren’t spayed or neutered. It’s actually illegal in both Dallas and Fort Worth to not spay or neuter pets. It’s also illegal to breed pets without a permit.
The resulting overpopulation means shelters receive more surrenders and more strays and without relief, some will eventually be euthanized.
Both cities encourage residents to help by adopting or fostering. More importantly, they want to provide resources for anyone considering surrendering a pet.
“If it’s something simple like food, the shelter offers food,” said Anastasia Ramsey, acting superintendent at Silcox Animal Shelter in Fort Worth. “These are all things that we will provide for you.”
To assist potential pet owners, adoptions in both cities are free for most pets, which includes full vaccination, spaying and neutering and micro-chipping. Dallas Animal Services even offers $250 credit toward a pet’s first veterinarian visit.
“We want to make sure these animals get out as quickly as possible and have the lowest length of stay in the shelter,” said Atwell.
The Kaufman County Pet Adoption Center is offering free adoptions for all large dogs (6 months or older) over 30 pounds. The facility is also offering free spay and neuter vouchers to help with pet population control. There's an up to $250 incentive for fosters for keeping a dog over 30 pounds for three weeks. Click here for more.
For information on adoption and fostering in Fort Worth, visit https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/code-compliance/animals/adoptable.
For information on adoption and fostering in Dallas, visit https://bedallas90.org/.