SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Animal shelter volunteers said that they are currently in crisis mode due to overcrowding, and the recent hurricanes have exacerbated the situation.
“We’ve seen the overpopulation crisis surge based on housing crises, the economy, people’s affordability,” said Cody Shelley, a volunteer and foster board member. “With folks having to evacuate at the last minute and losing their homes, there has been a surge in dogs that are homeless and looking for a place to go.”
Georgia ranks fifth in the nation for euthanizing companion animals.
Renegade Animal Shelter is currently at capacity, with 687 dogs in their care, most of whom are in foster homes. They are struggling to intake more dogs from other shelters impacted by the storms.
“Right now, the most important thing we need are donations and fosters,” Shelley added. “We have multiple dogs coming from Hurricane Milton down in Florida, and he actually came from a litter in South Carolina after Hurricane Helene. Our entire community needs to rally; this problem belongs to all of us. Anyone that loves dogs can be part of this solution.”