Cooper England hanging out with the animals at Dallas Animal Services: Photos by Jo Enland
Last month, the Advocate published a story about the struggle shelters and rescues faced throughout the summer to manage unusually high dog populations. At Dallas Animal Services, capacity hovered around 140% throughout the summer, a DAS spokesperson told us at the time.
Now, the situation has only gotten worse.
According to reporting by WFAA, DAS is overwhelmed with the highest dog population since pre-COVID years. Earlier this week, capacity reached 171% before lowering to the current 161%.
That means that most dogs currently at the 300-kennel shelter are sharing kennels, which can lead to disease spreading, increased stress levels and challenges to cleaning.
On average, the shelter’s intake per day is around 57 dogs, and adoption numbers are not balancing out the intake to help keep the shelter population stable.
“I started three and a half years ago, and this is the fullest I’ve seen the shelter,” Sarah Sheek, the Assistant General Manager over Community Engagement, told WFAA.
Dallas Animal Services employees have continuously urged residents to consider adopting or fostering an animal to help lower the shelter’s dog population.
And, as part of a longer term plan, animal advocates have asked residents to voice support for the inclusion of a new $114 million facility as part of the 2024 bond program.
Plans show a shelter with increased kennel capacity, a spay and neuter clinic, outdoor areas and meet and greet rooms, as well as a welcome center and community education area.
“We’re just really encouraging people who care about animals and who support this to reach out to their city council members and say how they think it’s a need and how it’s worthwhile to spend the money on something like this,” a DAS spokesperson told the Advocate. “It’s really just going to benefit the animals in the city of Dallas, long term.”
