November 24, 2015

Animal shelter overload: Time ticks for countless pets hoping for a home

Four ways you can help

By Elisa Lala
PhillyVoice Contributor

Two hundred, thirty-eight.

That's the number of cats and dogs saved from the brink of death in just four days, Nov. 19-22, after the Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia was forced to create an emergency deadline for adoptions due to a lack of space at the shelter.

That's 238 adoptable animals who would have been prematurely put to sleep.

This adoption blitz, made possible thanks to ACCT's offer to temporarily waive adoption fees pending background check approval, was clearly a success.

But many other adoptable animals remain in overcrowded shelters and rescue organizations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey hoping for a happy ending before it's too late.

ACCT's free pet adoption will resume Friday through Monday, thanks to Zappos, the online shoe and clothing shop, and Best Friends Animal Society. Details here.

Below are four more ways to help local animals in need.

City of Elderly Love - Save a Senior Pet

Otto, estimated to be about age 13, is referred to by the City of Elderly Love organization as The Benjamin Button of Cats. He is just one of the senior animals looking for a home. (City of Elderly Love)

It's no surprise many people prefer to adopt puppies and kittens. But as the young animals come and go, older pets spend their golden years in cramped metal cages, or worse, are euthanized. Adopting a senior pet means giving a cat or dog a happy end of life.

For more information, click here.

Help The Pit Mix help homeless pit bulls

Three-year-old Fiona has a spinal condition that causes her to not have control over most of her back legs and persuades people to look past her for adoption. She's been at the shelter for about 290 days and counting. (The Pit Mix/Facebook)

The Pit Mix isn't a non-profit or shelter. It's a one-woman driven mission that helps place "bully" breed dogs in homes through education and advocacy. Learn more here.

Teach children-positive animal care

Mini Paws is a program for children designed to train them in proper animal care and instill a love of community service. (To Love A Canine Rescue, Inc.)

To Love a Canine Rescue, Inc. (TLC) is a Chester County based non-profit dog rescue that works to find permanent homes for abandoned, stray and surrendered dogs to minimize needless euthanization.

The organization also hosts a junior volunteer program, Mini Paws, designed to teacher children ages 4 to 18 to correctly care for animals with a goal of creating a future generation of animal advocates.

For more information, click here.

Donate pet food to help needy owners keep their furry friends

One of the main reasons animals are surrendered to shelters is because their owners simply can no longer afford their care. (File Art)

The Camden County Pet Food Pantry, created by the five animal welfare organizations that make up Animal Alliance of Camden County, was created to help pet owners keep their pets.

The pantry is open the second Saturday of every third month and offers county residents free cat and dog food pick-up based on proof of need.

For information on donating, click here.

Elisa Lala
PhillyVoice Contributor