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County animal shelter overflows with pets
Dan Eakin/Staff Photo - Collin County Animal Shelter employee Lisa Drummonds holds a 3-month-old kitten that is available for adoption at the shelter. Overcrowding has forced the shelter to euthanize adoptable animals in recent days.
By Dan Eakin, deakin@starlocalnews.com
The Collin County Animal Shelter has more dogs and cats than usual that are badly in need of a home, and euthanasia is quickly becoming its only option.
As of early this week, there were 52 dogs and 28 cats at the shelter eligible for adoption, said Eric Nishimoto, Collin County public information officer.
"A lot of people are not aware that pets are now available at the shelter," he said. Pets have been available at the shelter, at 4750 Community Avenue in McKinney, for about a year.
Animals that do not find a home may be euthanized. But the Collin County Animal Shelter has a good record of finding homes and, in the past, has put to sleep mostly just ill animals.
However, with the overflow of animals, unless many people soon adopt a pet, more face the possibility of euthanasia.
"Our live leave rate last month was 89 percent for cats (98 percent for adoptable cats) and 95 percent for dogs (100 percent for adoptable dogs)," Nishimoto said. "Unfortunately, at this time, we're faced with having to euthanize adoptable animals because we've been receiving too many at the shelter."
He said about 25 dogs and cats usually are adopted each week from the shelter.
"We work in partnership with a number of rescue and volunteer groups who make it possible to find homes for as many of our animals as we can, but unfortunately, these rescue folks can't do it alone," he added. "We need the public to consider finding a pet here at our shelter first. We have pure breeds and mixed breeds of all kinds."
Lack of kennel space has forced the shelter to euthanize adoptable animals in recent days, and because local rescue groups are also full, more euthanasia is planned. In hopes of easing the burden, Collin County Commissioner Cheryl Williams will lead a three-day adoption event this weekend at the Petco at 15942 Eldorado Pkwy. in Frisco.
The "Empty the Shelter" Memorial Day event will run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday at Petco. Adoptable dogs and cats will also be available at the shelter all weekend.
Pets available for adoption include kittens and puppies, and cats and dogs. The adoption fee for a dog or cat is usually $75, and discounts are sometimes offered. Services for the adoption fee include spaying, neutering, micro-chipping and a rabies shot.
"This is a good deal," Nishimoto said, "because those services would cost much more at a veterinarian clinic."
Shelter hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, call 972-547-7292, go to http://www.collincountytx.gov/animal_services/index.jsp, or email animalshelter@collincountytx.gov.
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