Lookin' for a home: County animal shelter overflows with pets

The Collin County Animal Shelter has more dogs and cats than usual that are badly in need of a home.

There are currently 40 dogs and 36 cats eligible for adoption, marking a slight decrease in the 52 dogs the shelter had last month, and an increase to the 28 cats that were adoptable in May.

"A lot of people are not aware that pets are now available at the shelter," said Eric Nishimoto, Collin County public information officer. "The shelter is currently full. We have an unusually high number of adoptable animals right now. High numbers are typical this time of year. Numbers in the spring and summer pick up significantly due to kittens and puppies being born as a result of animals that have not been neutered or spayed."

Pets have been available at the shelter, located at 4750 Community Avenue, for about a year. Animals that do not find a home may be euthanized, but the shelter has a good record of finding homes and in the past, has put to sleep mostly just ill animals.

However, with the overflow of animals, unless many people soon adopt a pet, more face the possibility of euthanasia.

"Our live leave rate last month was 89 percent for cats (98 percent for adoptable cats) and 95 percent for dogs (100 percent for adoptable dogs)," Nishimoto said. "Unfortunately, at this time, we're faced with having to euthanize adoptable animals because we've been receiving too many at the shelter."

About 25 dogs and cats usually are adopted each week from the shelter, said Nishimoto, who recently adopted a pet from the shelter.

"We work in partnership with a number of rescue and volunteer groups who make it possible to find homes for as many of our animals as we can, but unfortunately, these rescue folks can't do it alone," he added. "We need the public to consider finding a pet here at our shelter first. We have pure breeds and mixed breeds of all kinds."

To counter to overflow, the shelter has stepped up efforts with special adoption days and specials, said Miranda Fick, a volunteer coordinator for the shelter. Fick is one of the shelter's many volunteers who make sure these special events are publicized effectively throughout the county. Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, for example, the shelter was able to adopt out 29 dogs and cats. Although the promotion was a success, Fick said, the open spots it created in the shelter were filled up pretty quickly.

"It was a great weekend. But like always, no matter how fast we adopt them out, more come in," she said. "Even though we've had several successful specials and events over the past few months, by Wednesday we are facing a full shelter again.

This weekend, the shelter faces more than 40 dogs and more than 30 cats and kittens (there are many kittens, Flick said) available for adoption, with many others are still on their stray hold period.

"We need another big weekend of adoptions in order to avoid euthanizing on Monday," Flick said.

Pets available for adoption include kittens and puppies, and cats and dogs. The adoption fee for a dog or cat is usually $75, and discounts are sometimes offered. Services for the adoption fee include spaying, neutering, micro-chipping and a rabies shot.

"This is a good deal," Nishimoto said, "because those services would cost much more at a veterinarian clinic."

Shelter hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call 972-547-7292, go to http://www.collincountytx.gov/animal_services/index.jsp, or email animalshelter@collincountytx.gov.

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