The Fresno Animal Center is operating at about 110% capacity after taking in more than 100 dogs in recent days, prompting urgent calls for help from the community, the center’s director said Wednesday.

On Saturday, the shelter received 26 dogs, followed by 19 the next day. On Tuesday the shelter took in 37 animals, 26 dogs and 10 cats, said director Alma Torres.

“We have 196 dogs in the kennels right now,” Torres said. She noted that the shelter has only 128 kennels for its general population, with some housing more than one dog like mothers and their pups.

By law, the center must hold animals for 72 hours to give owners a chance to reclaim them. After that, the animals are made available for adoption, fostering, or transfer to rescue organizations.

Torres said the shelter is relying on rescue partners and asking the public to step up.

“If we were able to pull 20 of these animals out, that means we don’t have to make euthanasia decisions,” she said.

Over 100 Dogs in Recent Days

In an email to rescue groups this week, the center shared that they have received over 100 dogs and are at critical capacity.

They shared information on dogs considered “at-risk” and asked for fosters to provide rescue tags by 4 p.m. Thursday.

She said the dogs sent to their rescue partners may be experiencing added stress or other challenges that affect their behavior in a kennel.

“The sad reality is that yes, every single animal that enters the shelter is at-risk. We just never know how many are going to come in,” Torres said.

When asked if euthanasia would be the next step to limit capacity, Torres said she hopes that isn’t the case. “This is a problem that can be solved by all of us together. We have several ways that our community can help.”

Fresno Animal Center Doesn’t Have Adoption, Reclaim Fees

To ease the burden, the Fresno Animal Center does not have adoption fees and continues to offer free microchipping to reunite pets with their families.

Fosters also receive support with food, medical care, and other resources.

The center does not charge reclaim fees, and Torres urged anyone who has lost a pet to check there.

“The animals came from somewhere. The majority of them are not feral, they are friendly,” she said.

She explained that many people don’t realize the shelter has no reclaim fees and encouraged them to come and retrieve their animals. “Please come and get your animal,” she said.

For information on adopting or fostering, visit the Fresno Animal Center.

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