The Stafford County Animal Shelter is experiencing severe overcrowding.
A nationwide trend has now reached a critical stage in the Fredericksburg area.
The Stafford County Animal Shelter is severely overcrowded and put out a call for help last week via Facebook.
“If you or someone you know is looking to adopt a dog or if your organization can help, we implore you to please step forward,” the June 20 post reads. “Your help can make all the difference. Come rescue one of our many dogs and give them the loving home they so desperately need.”
Shelter Manager Lauren Hopkins says there are 58 dogs at the facility as of Monday afternoon—in a space originally designed to hold only 18.
Hopkins says this type of overcrowding is unprecedented for the shelter, which has sought additional housing for the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office’s canine unit as a result.
Thirty-two of the dogs now at the shelter have been surrendered by their owners over the last 20 days for a variety of reasons.
“We have seen every excuse you can think of for why people drop off their dogs” says Hopkins.
She says many of the dogs were adopted during the pandemic and now that people are going back to work, they are unable to care for the animals anymore. Other dogs were brought to the shelter because they are sick, and the owners can’t afford the increasing costs of veterinary care.
Hopkins says a large number of the dogs that have been surrendered are pit bull mixes, which are often banned at townhouse or apartment complexes.
So far, Hopkins says, the shelter has not had to euthanize any healthy animals, but that could change if overcrowding continues.
She says this situation is happening all over the country.
There are currently 42 dogs up for adoption in through the Stafford Animal Shelter, though not all of them are spayed, neutered, and vaccinated, which sometimes chases prospective pet-owners away.
The shelter has waived its usual $45.00 adoption fee in an effort to bring people in, but so far that has not worked.
Because of the overcrowding, the shelter will not take any more surrendered dogs unless there is an emergency.
Almost all of the dogs are adult animals with only one litter of puppies available.
Hopkins says there have been no issues with cats or kittens and that there have actually been fewer than usual so far this summer.
If you are interested in adopting a dog, you can stop by the shelter at 26 Frosty Lane in Stafford to look over the dogs that are available. You do not have to be a county resident to adopt one of the dogs.
Hopkins says there are pictures of some of them available dogs on the shelter’s website, but that there aren’t enough staff members to keep the site updated.
The shelter is open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
by Hank Silverberg
CORRESPONDENT
