Too many animals. Stark County Humane Society struggles with overcrowding

NIMISHILLEN TWP. – The Stark County Humane Society is bursting at the seams and hoping a special adoption promotion starting today helps reduce the number of animals at its shelter.

The agency is feeling the effects of overcrowding, which is taking place nationwide , Executive Director Jackie Godbey said.

"We just seem to have a lot of cruelty cases going on this year that involve large numbers of animals," she said. "One case specifically that was very well publicized was a rabbit case of 107 rabbits, one dog and over 14 cats from one house alone."

Agency investigator Eddie Sells said the number of cases that he's been receiving seem to have decreased overall, but the number of animals involved in each case has surged.

"You should only (see) three, four animals, and now, it just seems like it's growing to like 20 plus," he said. "The last investigation, a guy had over 70 dogs on his compound."

Exceeded shelter capacity has led to animals being kept in virtually every room

At the shelter, the overcrowding has led to repurposing many areas to hold more animals. A laundry room has become a cattery, offices house animals and a new pole room has been built. The room originally housed the 107 rabbits that the shelter took in, but now it's home to two horses.

Temporary stations for animals also include an indoor garage area, a bathtub room and even by the front door.

"We have animals in the office. We actually have a nursing mom and two puppies in our boardroom," Godbey said. "All our kennels are full."

She said the influx of animals is adding strain for employees and animals, as animals that remain in the shelter need indefinite care.

"Cat adoptions are going very well for us, but our dogs, we have quite a few long-timers here," Godbey said. "We have no time limit these animals remain with us as long as they're friendly and healthy."

Shelter hopes to increase adoptions with new promotion

The Humane Society is holding a special promotion this week aimed at getting more people to adopt. Starting today and running through Sunday, adoption rates will be cut in half.

"For the half off, it's any animal that's six months or older, so they're either paying $30 to $50 for the actual adoption," Godbey said.

In addition, there will be a "senior-to-senior" promotion Sunday, where guests 60 and older will receive reduced adoption rates.

"We're trying to encourage more people to adopt," Godbey said. "All our animals are spayed, neutered, microchipped ... heartworm tested, all that's already all done before you take the animal home.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Too many animals. Stark County Humane Society struggles with overcrowding