By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The Tucker County Animal Shelter has announced that it will not be able to take in surrenders for the time being due to being at capacity, even with fosters. Animal Shelter Director Stacey Canfield made the announcement during the July 8th Tucker County Commission meeting.
“We are closed for owner surrender,” Canfield said. “At this point, we are just intaking medical emergencies only for canines.”
Canfield said that shelters across the country are dealing with an overabundance of canines. Inflation appears to be a driving factor, according to Canfield, with the price of everything raising, especially dog food.
“The issue we see with dogs is a National crisis,” Canfield said.
Currently, the Shelter is at capacity. The shelter has nine kennels, but is currently housing 17 dogs. Canfield said that even the facility’s fosters are full, with some over full.
“We are relying on our offices,” Canfield said. “I have a dog in my office. Craig has a dog in his office. We have dogs set up in a kennel in the lobby. We have fosters that are full. I have five personal dogs and I foster five now. So we are packed full.”
Canfield said there is a great need for foster and adoptive pet parents. The shelter is also in need of volunteers and supplies. The shelter keeps a wishlist on Amazon and there is a collection bin at the Shop ‘n Save in Davis.
“We keep begging and begging for fosters and adopters,” Canfield said. “We’re just trying to figure out how to get the community to step up in that aspect.”
According to Canfield one dog at the facility has been there for two years, only because she is a hound. The dogs at the facility are mostly hunting hounds strays. Canfield said many hounds come in as strays during hunting season. She recently contacted a hound rescue organization and is waiting for more information from them.
“They are coming to hunt them and when they are done hunting them, they become Tucker County taxpayer problems when they are not reclaimed and not picked up,” Canfield said. “And that is the majority of our housing right now.”
The Shelter has access to assist pet owners with a variety of services including: medical bills, spay/neuter vouchers and $10 vaccinations are available to Tucker County residents at the Shelter. Canfield said she and her staff want to do everything they can to keep pets in their homes for as long as they can.
“We are more of a resource than just drop your dog off,” Canfield said.
For more information contact the Tucker County Animal Shelter at (304) 478-6232. The Tucker County Animal Shelter is located at 586 Brooklyn Heights Road in Parsons and can also be found on Facebook and Instagram or at their website tuckercountyanimalshelter.com.