North Texas animal shelters organize huge pet adoption event

By Bill Hanna

billhanna@star-telegram.com

The appeals for help have been constant this year as numerous area animal shelters have repeatedly faced overcrowding conditions.

In the latest attempt to shine a light on the problem, more than 20 animal welfare groups are taking part in one of the largest adoption events to be held recently in North Texas.

Taking place at two PetSmart locations in Fort Worth on Saturday and Sunday, organizers hope to adopt out 500 dogs and cats.

Among the shelters participating are Fort Worth, Mansfield, Irving and the Humane Society of North Texas.

The event is a good way to get people's attention, said Fred Sanderson, director of Irving Animal Services. With the onslought of abandoned and lost pets being brought to shelters, Sanderson said shelter operators must constantly find new ways to highlight the growing problem.

This year, the Fort Worth Animal Shelter has already asked for public help in dealing with overcrowding. In both May and July, shelter officials warned that adoptable animals faced the risk of euthanization unless enough animals were adopted.

Officials say the shelters typically fill up in spring and summer with breeding season and residents calling in more reports of strays. The only way to stem the problem is with more public education and stepping up efforts to encourage spaying and neutering of pets, they say.

"We live in times where millions of animals have been abandoned or lost," said Brandon Bennett, Fort Worth code compliance director. "Many of them land at animal shelters or with rescue organizations. The shelters are often overcrowded and it's an ongoing challenge to find homes quickly enough to make space to accommodate new ones that arrive daily."

But it appears to be getting more difficult for shelters to keep pace with the demand for space. In Johnson County, fewer people are willing to adopt.

"In years past, we could do 500-600 a year easily, but not anymore," said Debi Dinsch, president of the Johnson County Humane Society. "I attribute that to the economy."

Complicating problems is that the Johnson County Humane Society doesn't have its own shelter.

"We can only put them in private homes that are willing to provide foster care," Dinsch said.

This year, the Johnson County Humane Society has adopted 88 animals and still has 102 animals in its foster system.

"People view animals as disposable," Dinsch said "They don't want them anymore because they've had a baby or they've suddenly developed allergies. Some of the reasons are legitimate, but they want them gone and they want them gone today."

At the adoption event, Dinsch said her group will bring about six dogs and 15-20 cats Saturday.

"If all of those adopt, we'll bring more" on Sunday, Dinsch said.

The adoptions will take place Saturday and Sunday at two Fort Worth PetSmart stores: 4800 SW Loop 820 (I-20 at Hulen) and 2901 Texas Sage Trail (I-35W at Heritage Trace Parkway). For more information on the adoption event, call (817)392-PETS.

Bill Hanna, 817-390-7698

Twitter: @fwhanna

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