County of Santa Rosa recently issued the following announcement.
Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) has an urgent need for the community to adopt or foster dogs as the shelter has reached critical capacity. While the foster care
program has been a large relief, the shelter's space and resources are limited. Providing care for the growing number of dogs is becoming increasingly difficult. The shelter's goal is
to provide a positive outcome for every pet that enters its doors.
Finding homes for adoptable pets is only a small part of the shelter’s duties. Staff provide care for the stray, sick, injured and behaviorally needy animals. All pets receive shelter,
food, medical care, spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and more during their time at the shelter. Sadly, the shelter's current situation is the result of irresponsible pet ownership
and not spaying/neutering pets.
“The animal shelter has been at capacity more days than not over the last year,” said Dr. Megan Arevelo, shelter veterinarian. “Unfortunately, most animals being brought in are not
spayed or neutered and were found roaming. When you combine all of those things, you end up with a lot of extra animals at the shelter. It’s important for those who own pets to
have them spayed or neutered to cut down on overpopulation.”
With 96 dogs currently under shelter care, there are no more open kennels. Of the 96 dogs the shelter is caring for, around 50 are available for adoption including some in foster
care that are available. The shelter is also expecting a large influx of more than 70 dogs next week due to special circumstances, but right now there are no open kennels. The
shelter is actively working with rescues to find placement for as many dogs as possible.
The shelter would greatly benefit from fosters taking available dogs for two to three weeks, as well as rescue partners who could pull dogs to open kennel space. Fosters are given
all the resources needed to care for the animal such as vet care, food and any medication required. Visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/727/Foster-Program for more information on the
foster program. Rescue groups interested in helping the shelter should contact the rescue coordinator, Tara DeAguilera at 850-530-5128.
For more information on programs offered by the animal shelter or to make an appointment to adopt, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/animals.
Original source can be found here.
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