Now, more than ever, local animal rescue advocates urge people to consider adopting shelter animals.
The Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter is participating again in Empty the Shelters, an initiative through the Bissell Pet Foundation. May 1-15, people who rescue an animal from PAWS will receive a substantial discount on adoption fees. While puppies are excluded from this promotion, the adoption fee for adult dogs and kittens is $50 — which usually ranges from $120 to more than $200 — and adult cats are $25, a savings of $45 or more.
Shaindel Beers, vice president of PAWS, and Robin Barker, vice president of Hermiston-based Fuzz Ball Animal Rescue, said one of the lingering effects of the pandemic is the overpopulation of dogs and cats. Both rescue advocates encourage people to consider adoption.
Researchers at the University of Florida surveyed more than 200 clinics from 2019 to 2021, Beers said, that indicated 2.7 million spay/neuter surgeries were missed because of the pandemic. As a result, she said, millions of extra animals have been born.
“If you have the resources to add another pet to your household, now is the perfect time to adopt because you will be saving a life,” Beers said. “Adopting a pet from us will enable us to help another pet in need.”
Magnifying the problem, Barker said, was an increase in the dumping of unwanted animals. While it has always been an issue, she said more people turned to it out of desperation. The dogs, she said, end up roaming the streets and keep breeding, further to the overpopulation.
“During COVID, a lot of people were losing their jobs and the last thing they wanted to do was have another mouth to feed,” Barker said. “So, they weren’t adopting as much.”
PAWS, Beers said, is constantly getting pleas for help for dumped animals and from people whose pets had an unexpected litter of puppies or kittens. In addition, as a no-kill shelter, she said other shelters are reaching out to PAWS as they are faced with having to make the hard decision to euthanize healthy animals because they are full.
“It is heartbreaking that we can’t help everyone,” Beers said. “If you can adopt now, please do. You’ll be helping us help others.”
In addition, she said there is an epidemic of German shepherds in shelters across the country. She provided input for a survey reported on by Rocky Kanaka, a pet rescue advocate and Emmy-nominated TV host. Kanaka said the popularity of German shepherds has resulted in overbreeding and impulsive purchases by people unprepared for the responsibilities demanded by the breed.
“PAWS has several German shepherds right now, and we have had people request to surrender more German shepherds to us,” Beers said. “But we are so full, we’re putting people on waiting lists for now.”
Beers said approximately 30 cats/kittens and 30 dogs, including 19 at the shelter and others in foster homes are available. Adoption information is available on the shelter’s website.
“Senior dogs are available for a donation because we just really want them to get homes,” she said. “And with our harder-to-place dogs, we just sometimes waive the fee.”
Beyond adopting shelter pets, Barker said efforts to help reduce animal overpopulation include spaying and neutering and supporting nonprofit organizations that are trying to make a difference.
Fuzz Ball is hosting a yard sale fundraiser, which includes a raffle and recyclable can/bottle drive. The event is May 18, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 645 E. Sunset Drive, Hermiston. To make arrangements to donate items, call Barker at 541-908-1403.
“I think we have an obligation to do as much as we can. A lot of rescues are folding because it’s just not sustainable,” Barker said. “With the hard economic times, donations are down but it doesn’t stop animals from needing homes and vet care.”
