A national wave of returns and surrenders have filled animal shelters across the country to above and past capacity, including right here in Grays Harbor.
Accordingly, North Beach PAWS is holding an adoption event over the weekend with extended hours and discounted fees to help the dogs and cats there find new homes.
“We are way over capacity. We are overcrowded,” said Carol Jamroz, vice president of the shelter’s board. “Our adoption wait lists are burgeoning.”
Nationwide, work environments that prevent employees from taking care of their animals and the disruption of veterinary services during the pandemic have driven a massive increase in the amount of dogs and cats being turned over to shelters, Jamroz said.
“We have 50 kitties in house. We have 60 in foster. We have 23 dogs in-house and we have eight kennels. Including puppies.” Jamroz said. “So we have the post-covid where people are going back to work and can’t take care of their pets. The spay and neuters were cut way back and people are on their second or third litters.”
North Beach PAWS, located outside of Ocean Shores, will be open for their regular hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 1. The shelter will additionally be open for appointments on Friday and Sunday, according to a news release.
“We really do want people to call and make an appointment so we can manage,” Jamroz said. “For the puppies, they’re taking applications, they’re going to be spayed “
Cats will be available for adoption for buy-one-get-one-free rates during the event, according to the news release, excepting speciality breeds, or some breeds of purebred cat such as Siamese or Bengals, Jamroz said.
“(We’re) very hard up; it’s very difficult for shelters these days,” Jamroz said. “The rate of euthanasia (in other shelters) is rising.”
The national event was organized by the National Best Friends Network. It isn’t the first such event, Jamroz said, but circumstances have never been this pressing before.
Jamroz thanked shelter managers Pam Moon and Nanette Sparrow for their hard work bearing up.
“Come adopt from us,” Jamroz said. “Find love and save lives.”
Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.
