San Francisco’s city-operated animal shelter has been inundated with a surplus of animals following the pandemic, leading to the euthanization of over 400 dogs and cats between July 2022 and June 2023. This surge in intake mirrors a national trend, with shelters across the country facing record-high numbers of animals, outpacing adoptions and returns to owners, according to data from the Shelter Animals Count database.
The San Francisco Animal Care & Control (SFACC) spokesperson, Deb Campbell, attributes this spike in animal intake to various factors, including a pause in spaying and neutering surgeries during the pandemic. As a publicly run shelter, SFACC is mandated to accept all animals, which has led to severe overcrowding, particularly with dogs, guinea pigs, and rabbits.
Despite efforts to alleviate overcrowding by transferring animals to other shelters and offering foster programs, euthanization numbers remain high. SFACC has also waived adoption fees for dogs to encourage adoption. However, there’s still a strain on resources, with privately run shelters also facing capacity issues.
The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA) is collaborating with partners in the Central Valley to alleviate the strain by providing medical support and spaying and neutering services. Additionally, organizations like Muttville are working to expand their facilities to accommodate more animals, particularly senior dogs.
In the face of these challenges, the call to action is clear: adopt these animals. The article highlights success stories like Eggo, a pit bull terrier, and Bonobo, a sweet cat, as examples of the joy that adopting shelter animals can bring.
Summary of Article: https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/08/30/san-francisco-animal-care-control-overcrowding-euthenasia