Local animal shelters continue to see increase in overcrowding
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Local animal shelters were dealing with overcrowding before the storm nearly 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 capacity.
Summer is the busiest season for animal shelters, and it ended a couple of days before Hurricane Helene hit. But now, animal shelters across our area are experiencing a very unexpected busy season.
Just like us, animals on both sides of the river were in the dark after Helene.
SRS, food manufacturer come through with donations after Helene
Donated MREs and breaded chicken strips helped keep the CSRA fed as the community responded to the destruction of Hurricane Helene.
“It was pretty challenging for a few days after the storm. The shelter did lose power for a long time. For several days, we had almost no water pressure,” said Becky Reece with the Augusta Animal Shelter.
Friends of the 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 after the storm.
But lately, it’s been different.
“It’s just stopped, like the past week, it’s just been quiet. And that’s when it’s unsettling for us,” said Cagle.
But both shelters are working to save as many animals as they can.
“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 are $35, but we also have a lot of dogs right now who we are waiving adoption fees on,” said Cagle.
FEMA chief comes to Augusta for update on Helene recovery
The director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Augusta on Wednesday as she and the mayor give an update on the response to Hurricane Heleme.
Reece said: “Starting today, we’re going to be doing a special where every dog in the building, puppy or not is a $20 adoption fee until the first of November.”
In August, the help reduce their euthanasia rates.
They say they haven’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 prepared to help you if you need it.
“People who are in need, who are not able to afford food for their pets, are able to come in here. We have dog food, and we have cat food,” said Reece.
Augusta and Aiken counties’ animal shelters both say they are in need of adoptions right now.
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