GREENWOOD, S.C. (FOX Carolina) -The Humane Society finds itself facing an overwhelming challenge as the number of stray animals continues to rise, stretching their resources thin.
Samantha Brooks, the interim executive director, expresses the gravity of the situation.
“Their length of stay is just increasing more and more. We’ve gone with our bigger dogs from a length of stay of maybe 18 days to sometimes 60 or more. And that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is when this is all that they have,” Brooks said.
Last week alone, the shelter took in over 60 dogs, double their usual intake.
“We’re built to house like between 86 and 90 dogs right now on site and right now on site, we have 118. Yeah, it’s a lot,” Brooks said.
With an increased number of mouths to feed, the shelter finds itself needing more dry dog food.
“On average, we go through about 90 lbs of dry dog food a day and so that’s a lot of food.” Despite the generous support from the community, their resources remain strained. “We have had some really just amazing members of our community reach out and send food, but we’re still in need because like what we have right now may last a week and a half,” Brooks said.
Brooks describes moments of heartache when confronted with the longing gazes of the shelter’s residents.
“I’ll walk up to a kennel and they’ll lay their sweet little face against it and want to be pet and stuff. And I just cry because they have feelings, they love, they want, they need. It’s really hard to see it because they all deserve home,” Brooks said.
In response to the crisis, the Humane Society of Greenwood is calling for assistance from the community. Those willing to help can donate food by mailing it to the shelter’s address or dropping it off at their door on 2028 Airport Road in Greenwood. Additionally, for individuals considering adding a furry friend to their family, the shelter will be hosting an adoption fair every day next week at PetSmart from 11 am to 3 pm, offering adoptions at discounted rates.
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