Lionknots. / CC
Over the summer animal shelters in Louisiana and across the country were at max capacity and animal advocates say things have not improved whatsoever. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson said in their 34-year history they’ve never experienced such an influx of owner-surrendered animals.
“Abandoned pets and pets that are just given up and left on the streets and tied to telephone poles. I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Dorson.
Dorson said about half of the parishes in the state actually have shelters and he implores individuals if they aren’t able to adopt to at least donate to a local shelter so they can assist as many animals as possible.
“We’re all at or near over capacity, at the breaking point we can only take in so many animals and they’re not being adopted at the same rate as they were before, so now we’re having to warehouse animals that need to be in homes,” said Dorson.
In addition to donations, Dorson suggests considering fostering a pet while it awaits a furever home. And if you’re a pet owner, he implores you to spay or neuter your pet. He said Louisiana has one of the lowest spay and neuter rates in the country and it’s only making the problem worse.
“Let’s cut down on all the unwanted litters please, make room for one more, donate, volunteer,” said Dorson.
If you are considering having to give up your pet animal advocates, ask you to reconsider and to never abandon your pet. Dorson said the abandoned pets are starving to death and even being hit by cars.
To donate to the Humane Society of Louisiana click here.
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