LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Animal Services is calling for help from the community to ease severe overcrowding in area shelters, which officials say is jeopardizing the organization's No Kill Shelter status.

Overcrowding has become an epidemic for shelters across the country, including at those operated by rescue organizations that typically pull pets from regular shelters to ease crowding. So far this year, LMAS has taken in 1,000 more animals compared to the same period in 2021.

Mayor Greg Fischer said the city's shelter facilities have maintained No Kill status for five years, and they "cannot go backwards."

“This compassionate community must come together to resolve this immediate crisis – and take steps, like neutering and spaying our pets – to help keep us from future crowding challenges," Fischer said Thursday.

In a news conference on Thursday, Fischer and LMAS asked residents to answer the call to action to save shelter animals’ lives through adoption, fostering a pet, volunteering, or donating to the Pay It Forward Program.

As part of this call to action, LMAS is waiving redemption fees for pet owners who come in to claim their pet, and all adoption fees for approved adopters with a bag of gifts and a voucher for a bag of food from Feeders Supply.

All adoptable pets are already spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations. Jefferson Country residents will be required to purchase a one-year, renewable pet license for $10.

Those who want to help but cannot adopt are encouraged to foster a pet, which will help address the immediate crowding crisis. LMAS especially needs foster homes for large dogs and will provide all supplies necessary to care for a homeless pet.

Monetary donations to the LMAS’ Pay It Forward program are also encouraged, which allows LMAS to waive adoption fees year-round for certain adoptable pets and supplements the shelter’s annual budget, providing for specialized surgeries and more.