CLEVELAND — The number of animals in shelters across the country is on the rise. A national database called Shelter Animals Count estimated that shelter populations were up by nearly a quarter-million animals last year, following a pandemic dip.

What You Need To Know

  • The number of animals at shelters is on the rise and many shelters, like the Cleveland Animal Protective League, are at capacity
  • The APL said one reason more animals are in the shelter is cost
  • The APL said intake went down during the pandemic and has now risen to what it was pre-pandemic, or even higher

Ayse Dunlap is the vice president of operations at the Cleveland Animal Protective League. She explained that their shelter is at capacity right now, overflowing with large dogs, cats and other small mammals like bunnies.

“Times are challenging for people and that could be part of the reason why we are seeing more animals come in. We’ve seen more animals being abandoned this year than they have in the past. We also have a humane investigation department that investigates animal cruelty and neglect and they brought in more animals this year.”

She explained that their current crowding issues are a stark contrast to what the shelter saw during the height of the pandemic.

“Intake did go down quite a bit during the pandemic and the years after,” she said. “I think we are seeing our intake get back to what it was, pre-pandemic and higher than that, as well, so it feels definitely like a lot for us this year, coming out of those pandemic years.”

During the week up until New Year's, the shelter held a promotion waiving all adoption fee’s for adult animals in an effort to help clear up space in the shelter and allow new animals to come in.

She explained that the best way to help this issue is by adopting a pet from the shelter. If you are unable to adopt, she said fostering or volunteering at your local shelter are the next best things.