HANCOCK COUNTY, W. Va. (WTRF) - Animal shelters across the Ohio Valley are operating at maximum capacity, which puts a major strain on their resources and ability to help other animals in need.
With spring right around the corner, many animal shelters are bracing for kitten season, and Hancock County is no different.
Right now, they are at maximum capacity with 22 adoptable dogs and 31 adoptable cats.
Hope Sayre, the shelter’s operation manager, says almost all of their dogs have been sponsored since February.
This means the normal $100 adoption fee has been waived (thanks to a generous donor) and the dogs are free to a good home.
Kennel Technician Kaitlynn Lamp says many of the dogs under their care have either been surrendered or found as a stray and haven’t been claimed.
She explains how hard the shelter environment is on the animals.
“With dogs coming into a shelter, a lot of them being surrenders, they're stripped from everything - their people and home. And I think coming here is already a scary place. Obviously causes behavioral reactions and they're sad. Granted, we try to do our best to make it as homey as we can. It's just not the same, you know? So, it's a definitely, I think, a lot of an emotional toll for a dog to go through.”
Kaitlynn Lamp | Kennel Tech, Hancock County Animal Shelter
She emphasized that they never shame anyone for having to surrender their animal and that many people are struggling to afford the cost of food and veterinary care.
“People just can’t as much right now. It is sad and it sucks to see. But with that also I feel, you know, they come to us, we take care of them well and hopefully find their forever homes that work for them.”
Kaitlynn Lamp | Kennel Tech, Hancock County Animal Shelter
For those who aren’t quite ready to adopt, Lamp says fostering is a great option.
Hancock County Animal Shelter provides fosters with everything they need.
If you are ready to open up your heart and your home to a furry friend, every adoptable dog at the shelter, except for Slyvester (pictured below), has a waived adoption fee.
The adoption fee for cats is $50.
The link to their adoption, foster and volunteer applications can be found by tapping or clicking here.
Follow the Hancock County Animal Shelter on Facebook to stay up to date with their adoptable pets, promotions and events.