NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Niagara SPCA announced it is "all filled up on dogs" and is in need of help.
The SPCA said because it is all filled up there are dogs in surgery recovery kennels, staff offices, in crates in recovery and staff members have even taken some dogs home because there was no space for them.
According to the SPCA, it has been consistently full for the better part of two years.
"PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, this is not the time to surrender your dogs. Please hold onto them if you can. We do not have space for them right now. If you're planning to adopt, adopt local. We have nice dogs, small dogs, puppy dogs, black dogs, brown dogs. We also have an AT-AT Walker look alike dog named Remy who could give Ralphie a run for his money. We have all the dogs.
We understand that dogs all over the country are at risk, but our shelters right here in WNY are struggling too. We need your help."
If you can help by fostering or adopting, or if you need help providing food for your dog, you can call or email the SPCA:
fostercare@niagaraspca.org — to foster an animal in need
716-731-4368 — to adopt a pet or to reach out for resources
Earlier this month the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter announced it was at full capacity and in need of help as well.
Amy Lewis, Executive Director of the animal shelter says the SPCA had a 60 percent increase of animal intakes in the past year.
"We took in 43 dogs last January and this January we took in 73 so far. We are full all the time and the situation has become dire," said Lewis.
If you are needing help caring for your animal, Lewis says to call your local animal shelter for help.
"If you financially cannot support feeding your dog, we will help you just so you can keep your dog. We do not want to bring more animals into the facility right now we are beyond capacity," said Lewis.
Lewis also says the community can help by donating monetary funds or buying from the shelter's wishlist.
But, the best way to help is to adopt.
If you are in need of help you can contact these organizations for assistance:
Pet Emergency Fund: 716-883-8544
Hope Before Heaven: 716-236-7346
Operation Pets: 716-783-8998
Pete's Pet Food Pantry: 716-833-1151
Chance's Cupboard Pet Food Pantry : 716-994-4347
St. Aidan's Pet Food Cupboard: 716-937-9500
