Paws Humane declares state of emergency as shelter reaches critical capacity

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Paws Humane Society declared a state of emergency on Tuesday as the shelter has faced a “record-breaking” number of animals in its care and has surpassed available kennel space.

Officials with Paws Humane Society say as of Tuesday, there are 547 animals under their care, 57 are waiting to enter the shelter through the Neighborhood Pets program, 219 are in foster care, and 380 active surrender applications are pending assistance.

“People often hear ‘please adopt, please foster,’ and it can sound like the same plea repeated,”
said Courtney Pierce, executive director of Paws Humane. “But this is different. This is a true emergency. Without immediate help from the community, we cannot continue to provide the care and safe shelter that these animals desperately need.”

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Officials also say that the shelter has more dogs than kennels and the limited capacity has forced staff to set up temporary crates wherever possible.

Paws Humane remains committed to its no-kill promise, which means no healthy, treatable, or
an adoptable animal is euthanized due to space.

Officials say it needs 100 additional open spaces and has taken the proper steps to help ease the crisis by hiring more staff, expanding off-site adoption events, and assisting families in keeping their pets.