PRCSPCA Calls for Urgent Community Support to Alleviate Dog Overcrowding Crisis
Critical Need for Adoptions and Fostering of Adult Dogs to Prevent Euthanasia Due to Lack of Kennel Space
Picayune, MS – September 2024 – The Pearl River County SPCA (PRCSPCA) is issuing an urgent call for help as overcrowding has reached crisis levels. Adult dogs are remaining in shelter care far longer than usual, with some waiting more than 200 days for adoption, creating severe strains on available kennel space. The shelter, which aims to find homes for animals within 7-21 days to allow for necessary medical treatments such as vaccinations and sterilization, is now facing an average stay of 52 days for adult dogs.
"This significant increase in the length of stay has created a bottleneck, leading to a crisis in our ability to provide appropriate kennel accommodations," said Beth Treadway, Director of PRCSPCA. "As a result, we've had to suspend the surrender of personally owned pets and require appointments for stray dogs. This is the only way to prevent euthanasia due to a lack of kennel space."
In an effort to address this crisis, PRCSPCA is calling on the community to help increase adoptions, specifically of large and adult dogs, by at least 10 dogs per week. Each adoption will help relieve the current overcrowding situation and create space for new animals in need of care. Additionally, the shelter is urgently seeking foster families, volunteers, and donations to help support their lifesaving work.
“When families choose to adopt or foster a large dog, they provide much-needed relief on our shelter’s capacity,” added Judy Wheaton, Assistant Director of PRCSPCA. “Fostering not only gives a pet a low-stress environment where their true personality can shine, helping them get adopted faster, but it also frees up shelter space for other pets in need. Fostering truly saves multiple lives.”
The shelter emphasizes the vital role the community plays in resolving this crisis and has launched an awareness campaign under the theme “Make Room for Love: Adopt, Foster, or Volunteer” to inspire individuals to get involved.
In addition to adoptions and fostering, PRCSPCA is seeking volunteers to assist with tasks like transporting animals and providing daily care at the shelter. Donations are also crucial to ensure continued care for the animals during this challenging time.
PRCSPCA will be holding special adoption events throughout the month and encourages anyone interested in fostering, adopting, or volunteering to contact the shelter directly. By working together, the community can help PRCSPCA overcome this crisis and continue its mission of finding loving homes for all pets.
For more information on how to get involved, visit www.prcspca.org or contact PRCSPCA at 601-798-8000.
About PRCSPCA: The Pearl River County SPCA is a non-profit organization committed to the humane treatment of animals and to finding forever homes for every pet in its care. The shelter provides adoption, fostering, and rescue services for animals in need throughout Pearl River County.
