National - Week

National

May 4-10, 2025

Humane Society scrambling to meet needs as strays increase

Mandee Ellis, Reporter

A sharp increase in the number of stray dogs being turned in has local humane society leaders scrambling for resources to care for them until they can be re-homed.

The Taylor County Humane Society (TCHS) took in 27 stray dogs in 2020. Those numbers have continued to rise and last year the shelter recorded 101 strays. That’s an increase of 274% in only four years.

Shelter manager Scott Schultz anticipates the 2025 count will climb even higher.

“The stray numbers are unbelievably high,” he said. “So far this year we’ve taken in 31 stray dogs.”

Schultz reports that while the influx of strays has increased, the reclaim rate has gone down. This means that when stray dogs are brought in and TCHS posts them on social media and their website hoping to make contact with a loving home that’s missing their beloved pet, fewer and fewer people are stepping forward to claim their lost animals.

“They’re just abandoning them,” Schultz said. Typically equipped to handle 50-60 cats at any given moment, the shelter has been forced to reduce their feline intakes to only six cats to make space for dogs. A 10 kennel facility, the shelter is currently housing 15 dogs, not including another three being fostered outside of the shelter. In addition to utilizing the space designated for cats, Schultz and his team are housing dogs in spacious, well-lit closets. Though the dogs can be clearly seen from windows and aren’t cut off from the rest of the facility, this isn’t ideal.

Under county code, the dogs are held for five days before the shelter takes official possession. This is meant to give owners ample time to recover their lost pet before TCHS becomes responsible for them. On the sixth day, the team hits the ground running.

But they face plenty of barriers before the dogs get their happily-ever-after.

All animals adopted out of the shelter are required to be spayed and neutered as population control is one of the best ways to help prevent unwanted pets from being dumped. Unfortunately, it can sometimes take months before the shelter can get their dogs fixed due to the high volume of dogs that most veterinary clinics are already serving. In these situations, TCHS is willing to allow people to foster a dog with the intention of finalizing adoption once the surgery has been completed.

In addition, many of the dogs being abandoned require additional medical assistance. And those services don’t come cheap.

“Our vet bills are a lot,” said Schultz. “Most of the animals that come in are sick or injured.”

The shelter is currently caring for six dogs that require continued medical care. As a no-kill shelter with a 97% save rate, they take the medical needs of their dogs seriously.

To further exacerbate an already difficult situation, the shelter is low on supplies and volunteers to manage the workload. TCHS is fortunate to have a few exceptional dog-walkers, but with the capacity that they’re currently serving, the dogs aren’t seeing as much leash time as they need. Walking, and in turn socializing these dogs to new people, is a key piece to a successful adoption.

In addition to walking the dogs, TCHS is in need volunteers available for a few hours each morning and afternoon to help clean, sanitize, and socialize the dogs. Schultz reports that there’s something for everyone, so if people aren’t comfortable with a particular task, there’s always a different way to help. Volunteers should be at least 18 years old and must be willing to sign a volunteer agreement, though Schultz states that he’s made exceptions for teens who are reliable and responsible.

People can also support the shelter by donating dog and cat food, unscented laundry soap, and cleaning supplies, especially bleach. Their wishlist can be seen at tchswi.org. While all donations are greatly appreciated, some items like bed sheets and pillows can’t be used for safety and cleanliness purposes. Monetary support is also welcome.

Schultz also encourages anyone who is handy with a camera and social media to consider contacting him as promoting the animals is equally helpful.

But one of the best ways to back TCHS is to consider fostering a dog.

“They have to be able to take care of the dog like it’s their own,” said Schultz. Foster families should have the space and resources to care for the dog, as well as the patience to allow the animal the opportunity to grow as many of the dogs that come to the shelter have issues that need to be gently addressed.

With all of these challenges, the team at TCHS is mentally and emotionally exhausted. Schultz mentioned shelter burnout, which is brought on by high stress situations such as overcrowding and the constant intake of neglected animals. Shelter burnout can even manifest with physical symptoms such as body fatigue or illness, as well as other symptoms like emotional numbness, irritability, and lack of motivation.

Schultz reported that shelter managers don’t usually last past five years. He’s on his third year, and he gets it.

“It’s up and down every day,” Schultz said. “That phone, you just never know what it’s going to be, somedays you can have 60 phone calls in a day.”

But even with all of the obstacles and challenges, Schultz and TCHS won’t call it quits anytime soon.

He recalls a dog that was dumped on the side of the road. The dog, eventually named Champ, remained in the same spot for nearly four weeks. He refused to go near people and each time a car approached him he was ecstatic, watching hopefully to see who got out of the vehicle only to be disappointed when he realized it was a stranger.

Champ was waiting for his family to come back for him. But they never came.

Schultz felt called to try to catch Champ himself. He set a live trap and got in his car to wait.

“I said, ‘God, if You ever do anything nice for me, drop the door,’” Schultz recalled. The next time he looked up, the door to the live trap had dropped with Champ safely inside.

Champ ended up in a home that fits him perfectly. It’s cases like these that keep the team going.

“Every adoption is a success story,”Schultz said.

To be a part of that success, visit their website at www.tchswi.org or call 715-965-6711.

Rocket, along with his brother, Groot, could barely contain his excitement at the prospect of visitors. Rocket is emotionally available and would love to take you on a date that would involve a long walk and plenty of cuddles.

Though she is deaf, Luna doesn't let her disability get the better of her. A one-year-old Catahoula mix, Luna has been waiting for her forever home while being cared for by TCHS staff.