NWA animal shelters experience overcrowding
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Animal shelters in Northwest Arkansas are overflowing with animals.
“We probably have about 50 animals in-house right now,” said Justine Linz, Superintendent of Fayetteville Animal Services.
According to Lenz, dogs who weigh 40 pounds or more normally stay the longest in shelters.
“From nine months to a couple of years old for whatever reason seem to sit here the longest. People normally want smaller or medium-sized dogs,” said Lenz.
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According to Kayla Mayes with Big Paws of the Ozarks, the organization receives calls every day about abandoned dogs or owners needing to surrender their animals.
“Our resources are limited to how many fosters we have open, and we usually have 60 to 70 dogs in rescue at a time. And, we are still turning away 70 every week,” said Mayes.
Mayes says euthanasia rates are at a three-year high in the United States. According to veterinarians.org, Mississippi has the highest rate of animals euthanized. Most shelters in Northwest Arkansas are non-kill shelters making the rate not as high. Fayetteville Animal Services does euthanize animals but only for certain situations.
“We do euthanize for quality of life issues, such as medical issues, but also for the ones we feel are unsafe to put back out in the community. But, those are overall small numbers,” said Lenz.
Mayes says inflation contributes to the rise of shelter animals.
“The cost of living is so high right now. Affordable housing and pet-friendly housing is very hard to find right now,” said Mayes.
To help with overcrowding, Mayes says to make sure your animal is spayed or neutered. Mayes also says if you are looking for a pet, consider adopting instead of purchasing. She says many full-blooded breads are being sent to animal shelters.
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