Urgent need for adoptions, fostering at local Humane Shelter, and across the country

A new study by the Shelter Animals Count organization shows that, in animal shelters in the US, the non-live outcome rate for dogs has nearly doubled (from 5.6% to 10%) from the first quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2023, and Stephens County is not immune to this trend, says Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter Executive Director Jeff Roberts.

Roberts is asking Stephens County residents and businesses to consider adopting a dog or cat from the shelter. He says If that is not an option, then consider “Paying It Forward” by making a $100 donation to cover the cost for someone to adopt an animal. This will enable the shelter to waive the adoption fee for adopters.

The shelter goal is for 50 county residents or businesses to “Pay It Forward” and for 50 shelter animals to find a new forever home.

Stephanie Filer, Executive Director of Shelter Animals Count, or SAC, stated, “The crisis shelters are facing does not originate within the shelters. Shelters need help now more than ever. This is a community problem that requires a community solution.”

Shelter Animal Count is a centralized, standardized database for animal shelter statistics.

Locally, during the first six months of 2023, the Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter has experienced a 20.1% drop in dog adoptions and a 53.7% decrease in the number of dogs transferred to other animal shelters, due to a slowdown in dog adoptions in shelters that normally take dogs from southern shelters who are overcrowded with dogs.

SAC data indicates that 4% more animals entered shelters than left in 2022. This is the largest gap in the past 4 years. 

Filer said, “We have been holding onto too many animals since the beginning of 2021. This means that shelters are now in their third year of having too many animals in care and not enough adoptions, especially for dogs. Increasing dog outcomes is the most urgent need to get the sheltering system out of crisis mode.”

In nearly a hundred comments on the survey, respondents repeatedly emphasized the urgent need for help from the community. They ask that people adopt from local shelters, foster, and volunteer to walk and socialize shelter dogs. In addition, respondents urge pet owners to spay and neuter their pets, train and socialize them, and, if they find themselves in need of assistance in order to keep their pet, reach out to local shelters and rescues to find out what programs and support are available in their community.

For more information on the Toccoa/Stephens County Humane Shelter, located at 1747 Scenic Drive in Toccoa, including information on animals available for adoption, and to learn about fostering and volunteering, visit tschs.org or call 706-282-3275.