Long Beach Animal Shelter Over ‘Critical Capacity.’ How to Help
Long Beach’s Animal Shelter has been over capacity since February due to a sudden influx of dogs arriving and the shelter could possibly resort to euthanasia in order to reduce the overflow of their kennels.
According to a post on their Facebook page, Long Beach’s Animal Care Services confirmed that there are no open kennels to accommodate more dogs. The shelter is currently housing dogs in conference rooms, offices, and the lobby.
The Animal Care Services is requesting anyone who has found a lost pet to hold onto it for at least a few days and search for the owner using social media and community neighborhood forums.
“This is the first time in almost 15 years that I have had to authorize and make the decision to euthanize a dog for space,” shelter director Staycee Dains told the Long Beach Post. “It’s not OK. It’s not right, but there’s nothing else for me to do.”
The shelter previously said that adoptions continued at a steady pace in 2022 after reaching a milestone of 1,968 adoptions last year. But the tipping point for the shelter came recently when an influx of a dozen dogs, nearly half of which reportedly came from a homeless encampment cleared by law enforcement nearby, overfilled the kennels, according to the Long Beach Post.
“There are no open kennels to take in more dogs. There are dogs in conference rooms, the lobby, and offices. If you found a dog, please hold onto that pet for at least a few days and look for the owner using social media and community neighborhood forums,” Long Beach’s Animal Care Services said in a post on its Facebook page.
At present, the dogs in line to be euthanized are those that have bitten someone but are not considered dangerous and those with behavior issues that have worsened due to their extended stay at the shelter.
Long Beach Animal Care Services is asking the public to help in any way they can. Those interested in adopting a pet or providing assistance to Long Beach shelter animals are asked to contact Long Beach Animal Care Services at 562-570-7387 or visit their website.
If you're looking to help overcrowded animal shelters like Long Beach’s Animal Shelter, there are several things you can do. Here are some resources and ideas to get you started:
Adopt a pet: One of the most obvious ways to help overcrowded animal shelters is to adopt a pet. By providing a loving home to a pet, you're not only helping to ease the burden on shelters, but you're also giving an animal a second chance at life. Check with your local animal shelter or rescue organization to see what pets are available for adoption.
Foster: If you can't commit to adopting a pet permanently, consider fostering one. By taking in a pet temporarily, you're providing a temporary home for a pet while they wait for their forever home. This can help reduce the number of pets in overcrowded shelters.
Volunteer your time: Animal shelters rely heavily on volunteers to help with tasks like feeding, walking, and socializing animals. By volunteering your time, you're not only helping to improve the quality of life for shelter animals, but you're also helping to free up shelter staff to focus on other tasks.
Donate supplies: Animal shelters are always in need of supplies like food, toys, bedding, and cleaning supplies. Check with your local shelter to see what supplies they need most and consider making a donation.
Support animal welfare organizations: There are many organizations dedicated to animal welfare that work to support overcrowded shelters. Consider making a donation to organizations like the Humane Society or the ASPCA to help support their efforts.
Advocate for animal welfare: One of the most important things you can do to help overcrowded animal shelters is to advocate for animal welfare. Write to your local lawmakers to encourage them to support animal welfare legislation, speak out against animal cruelty, and work to raise awareness about the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect.
By taking action to support overcrowded animal shelters, you can help ensure that all animals have a safe and loving place to call home.
