HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Huntsville Animal Services department is facing a shelter overload.
Officials on Tuesday posted an urgent plea for those who may be considering adoption to visit the shelter, which is teeming with dogs and cats.
The department took in dozens of animals on Monday -- 18 dogs and 35 cats -- and is well over capacity.
"We need the community’s help," it said in a post to social media. "If you can’t adopt, please consider fostering."
A list of the most recent intakes included a full page of domestic shorthaired cats along with dogs including German Shepherds, a Shih Tzu and a Siberian Husky.
The shelter has been battling an overpopulation problem all summer. In July, it issued a similar plea for help when it reported nearly 200 dogs and cats at the facility.
Adoption fees are typically between $35 and $150. The shelter is located at 4950 Triana Blvd. SW. Operating hours and Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Huntsville Animal Services (HAS) offers several types of foster home programs. Most shelter pets require 2-3 weeks of fostering, but some pets (like a pregnant cat or dog) require a longer period of fostering.
To become a foster parent, complete an application. Fostering parties must be 21 years of age or older and provide proof of identification. If you lease/rent, landlord approval is required prior to fostering a pet.
Huntsville Animal Services website explains its Foster Programs:
The most common foster home program is called Foster to Adopt. This program allows you a 14-day trial period with the dog and is for someone interested in adopting an adult dog, but would like to ‘test drive’ the dog at home. Although this is a very successful program, HAS warns owners that all new pets should be given at least 3 months to settle into a new home and new routine. Some pets like puppies, kittens, small dogs and others may not be eligible for this program.
The newest foster home program is called a Sleep-Over. This program allows the fostering party to take home a pet for 1 to 4 nights. Upon returning the pet to the shelter, the fostering party will complete a form sharing all the information collected about the pet during their visit including information such as: did the pet like other pets, housebroken, tolerates cats, likes children, etc. This program helps HAS develop a profile for the shelter pet.
Another foster program called the Foster to Rehome program is for sick pets, aged pets, and underaged puppies and kittens. Additionally, sometimes a fostering party takes care of the dog until it becomes adopted. These volunteers take appealing photos of the pet inside a home and along with a narrative about the pet’s personality are submitted to be posted on the HAS Facebook page.