Dog o' Day
Fansided

Shelters dealing with 100,000 more pets than this time in 2021

ByKimberley Spinney|
PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN - NOVEMBER 26: Stray dogs are seen at the cityâs first-ever dog shelter 'Lucky Animal Protection Shelter' located in the Canal Road area, Peshawar, Pakistan on November 26, 2021. Zeba Masood has opened an animal shelter where she feeds and maintains stray dogs â both adults and puppies. Animal rights organisations also help in bearing the expenses of the shelter. The shelter is now home to around 300 dogs taken in from various streets of the city. The operation is largely self-funded, with a small portion provided by a private engineering university, which is owned by Masoodâs father. (Photo by Hussain Ali/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN - NOVEMBER 26: Stray dogs are seen at the cityâs first-ever dog shelter 'Lucky Animal Protection Shelter' located in the Canal Road area, Peshawar, Pakistan on November 26, 2021. Zeba Masood has opened an animal shelter where she feeds and maintains stray dogs â both adults and puppies. Animal rights organisations also help in bearing the expenses of the shelter. The shelter is now home to around 300 dogs taken in from various streets of the city. The operation is largely self-funded, with a small portion provided by a private engineering university, which is owned by Masoodâs father. (Photo by Hussain Ali/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The pandemic is once again causing issues (not like it has stopped causing issues at any point). And this time it has to do with shelter pets and possible overcrowding of the shelters and rescues working to help these animals in need.

According to People Magazine, new research from Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) has found that there are 100,000 more animals in shelters than there were at this same time last year. At this point, we are talking about approximately 60,000 dogs and 40,000 cats looking for their forever homes.

And a big part of the problem is surges thanks to Omicron. It seems that in many cases, Omicron is causing staffing and volunteer shortages, on top of the fact that it seems as if even more animals are finding their way to rescues and shelters.

This could potentially be disastrous, as BFAS is warning of a crisis ahead.

Best Friends Animal Society warns that there is a possible crisis on the horizon for shelters and animals in need

According to the CEO of BFAS, Julie Castle,

"The Omicron surge has dramatically increased the strain on shelters by creating staffing shortages that limit shelter hours, decrease in-person volunteers, and reduce adoption events and pet care support."

At this point, this is leading to shelters needing to focus on the animals’ care and not adoption efforts to help them find new homes. In an effort to prevent further issues and stop a crisis from happening, they are trying to encourage animal lovers to not only open their homes to a new fuzzy friend, but also volunteering their time.

If more people step up to help the shelters, there is a chance that those 100,000 animals will be able to find their forever homes, staving off more issues in a system that is already overwhelmed with animals needing care and a home.

At this point, we are hopeful that knowing there is an issue will help to stop it from becoming worse. And maybe just knowing the sheer fact that there are 100,000 more animals in shelters right now than there were in 2021 will convince pet lovers to step up where they can, whether that means volunteering their time or actually bringing home a new furry friend to love.

Are you surprised that there are 100,000 more animals in shelters today than there were at this same time in 2021? Do you think knowing there is an issue will help motivate people to help?

Home/News