Huntsville Animal Services Seeking Community Help Amid Severe Overcrowding

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Officials with Huntsville Animal Services (HAS) say they are dealing with severe overcrowding that could cause health problems for animals in its shelter and they are seeking your help.

From a high number of surrenders to an increase in stray pickups along with low adoptions, the shelter is facing critical capacity issues.

HAS’s Animal Shelter Program Services Supervisor Lauren Anders says a packed shelter reduces the quality of life for the unhoused animals leading to health issues for cats and possible behavior changes in dogs.

Seeking Community Assistance

“With overcrowding in cats, they tend to get stressed and a lot of stress can lead to respiratory infections,” Anders explained. “Unfortunately, because we are so full, all the dogs only have one side they are having to be housed two or three animals together which is not always ideal for them.”

According to officials, the increase in cats and dogs at the shelter is also due to owners refusing to pay to spay and neuter their pets. The shelter does not turn away those animals, which has contributed to the spike.

“A lot of what we’ve seen this year are puppies; we have moms and dozens of puppies at a time because people are being pushed back and it is a relatively expensive procedure,” Anders said.

Call for Action

HAS is calling on pet lovers to assist in a time of dire need. If you are unable to adopt, Anders says fostering could also be a helpful option to provide a temporary space for some of those animals until a permanent home is found.

At this time, officials are reminding the community that HAS is not a no-kill shelter.

“If it comes to a point where we have too much overcrowding, they [animals] will have to be euthanized according to behavior,” Anders told News 19.

Adoption Incentives

Adoption fees for most adult animals will be waived through the end of June. If you are looking to adopt or foster, HAS can be reached at (256)-883-3782.