The number of dogs surrendered to the Denver Animal Shelter is on an alarming rise and testing the shelter’s capacity.
Between Jan. 1 and April 23, the shelter has taken in 477 surrendered animals, mostly larger dogs, compared to 348 surrendered animals over the same time span in 2022 — a 37% increase, according to a Denver Department of Public Health and Environment news release.
The upward trend is continuing from last year when DAS experienced a 51% increase in surrendered pets compared to those given up in 2019, before the pandemic.
“These increasing numbers, combined with other shelters in the metro area that have limited the animals they take in, has DAS worried about seeing a surge of pets that could overwhelm the shelter’s capacity to care for them,” the release said.
Many people acquired new pets during the pandemic and pet owners are now struggling with rising inflation costs and lack of affordable housing that accepts animals, the release said. As a result, a greater number of people are surrendering their pets to animal shelters in Denver and elsewhere in the metro area.
“We remain a safe haven for the most vulnerable animals in our community through our open-door policy and provide the best care possible for all animals that come through our doors,” DAS Director Melanie Sobel said in the release. “As the number of pets in our care continues to grow, we’re asking for help from our community. We can’t do it without your support.”
DAS officials urge the public to help with the ongoing issue and to explore options before surrendering pets to shelters. People considering surrendering pets are asked to check with family, friends and neighbors to see if the animal can be placed directly to a caring and responsible owner. Posting pets on adoption websites is also an option, owners should take care, however, to realize that an adoption is a good fit and the new owner is prepared to be a responsible owner. Denver Animal Protection offers resources to assist pet owners, including help with food and other care supplies.
For a limited time, adoption fees for dogs over 40 pounds at DAS are reduced to $20, according to the release. DAS officials also urge the public to become a foster parent to an animal. Foster families keep animals for time lengths of a few days to few months. Donations to DAS are accepted and appreciated.
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