Local animal shelters continue to see overcrowding increasing

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local animal shelters were dealing with overcrowding before the storm almost a month ago, and they’re still dealing with it now.

In the weeks since Hurricane Helene hit our area, the situation has only gotten worse.

Between owner surrenders, lost pets, and fewer people looking to adopt, our shelters are at full capacity.

Summer is the busiest season for animal shelters, ending just days before Hurricane Helene struck. But now, animal shelters in our area are experiencing a very unexpectedly busy season.

Like us, the animals on both sides of the river chased Helene in the dark.

“It was quite challenging for a few days after the storm. The shelter lost power for a long time. We had almost no water pressure for days,” said Becky Reece of the Augusta Animal Shelter.

Friends of Animal Shelter Program Coordinator Kathy Cagle said, “We were closed for 10 days. We had no power, and then they just kept coming in.”

Aiken County Animal Shelter says they received a lot of support after the storm.

But lately it’s been different.

“It just stopped, like the last week, it’s just been quiet. And that’s when it’s troubling for us,” Cagle said.

But both shelters do their best to save as many animals as possible.

“Our lobby has kittens everywhere. So they’re only $10 and they’re spayed and neutered and microchipped, vaccinated, ready to go. Puppies and dogs cost $35, but we also currently have many dogs that we do not charge an adoption fee for,” Cagle said.

Reece said: “Starting today we will be doing a special promotion where every dog ​​in the building, puppy or not, will have a $20 adoption fee until November 1.”

In August, Animal Shelter Augusta drew up a plan to do this help reduce their euthanasia rates.

They say they didn’t let Helene get in the way of that.

Their mobile adoption van is now up and running and they have seen an increase in participation during their ‘Save A Pet’ Mondays.

And they are ready to help you if you need it.

“People who are in need and cannot afford food for their pets can come here. We have dog food and we have cat food,” Reece said.

The Augusta and Aiken county animal shelters both say they are currently in need of adoptions.

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