Paws Humane: More than 500 animals at overcrowded shelter wait to find homes

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — More than 500 animals remain at Paws Humane Society, waiting to find loving homes.

The no-kill shelter declared a “state of emergency” on Monday, Aug. 19, saying it is at capacity. Paws says it needs at least 100 successful dog adoptions before it can take in any new animals.

In the day since that announcement, more than five animals have been adopted from the shelter. Paws Humane Executive Director Courtney Pierce spoke about the adoptions early Tuesday afternoon.

“We have had one dog and four cats adopted. We do have somebody who plans to come back at 5:30 [p.m.] today to pick up another dog,” Pierce said.

But those numbers are far below the one hundred successful adoptions the shelter needs before the end of the month.

“We are looking forward to several more adoptions,” Pierce said. “We hope this call to action brings more awareness and brings people into our building.”

The executive director is most concerned about finding homes for large dogs. Already, the shelter has set up more than 40 dogs in temporary crates and moved some of them into cat areas in order to take on as many animals as possible.

Roughly 540 animals remain under Paws’ care between the humane society and its animal services division, not including those currently in foster care.

An additional 440 animals are waiting to enter shelter care through the neighborhood pets program and pending active surrenders.

Until at least 100 dogs get adopted, or are taken in by foster families, none of the waiting animals can enter the shelter. There simply isn’t enough space.  

If you are interested in adopting or fostering an animal, you can visit Paws Humane Society on Milgen Road. You can also help by volunteering for the Paws “Dog’s Day Out” program.