Salina Animal Shelter Faces Capacity Challenges Amid Growing Need for Community Support
The Salina Animal Shelter is nearing full capacity, stressing the urgent need for community involvement to foster, adopt, and support the animals in its care. As of July 12, 2024, the shelter houses 53 dogs and 37 cats, and its resources are being significantly strained.
One of the biggest challenges the shelter currently faces is the situation with the 28 pitbull dogs. Fourteen of these dogs are being held for court cases, preventing them from being adopted or transferred, while the other 14 are awaiting transfer to other shelters or rescue organizations.
According to their website, as of July 12, 2024, there are 10 dogs available for adoption and three dogs listed under Lost and Found. These numbers underscore the shelter’s struggle to manage its animal population while still working towards finding permanent homes for these pets.
Monique Hawley, Animal Services Manager clarified the shelter’s capacity and operations in an email interview. The shelter has 32 large kennels, seven temporary holding kennels, 13 court hold kennels, and one isolation kennel for sick or injured animals. This sums up to a total of 53 dogs. For cats, the facility includes eight trap/stray kennels, 18 adoption kennels, and 11 isolation kennels, totaling 37 cats.
A significant cornerstone of the shelter’s mission aligns with the No-Kill movement, which promotes the idea of placing 90% or more of the animals that are taken in. The Salina Animal Shelter falls under the umbrella of Parks & Recreation, Jeff Hammond, Director of Parks and Recreation when asked about the No-Kill status, stated, "No-Kill is not an accreditation, a certification or a status to lose. It is my understanding that it is a movement or philosophy to place 90% or more of the animals that we intake." It is essential to note that No-Kill is a philosophy rather than a certification or accreditation, emphasizing the shelter’s commitment to reducing euthanasia rates through enhanced community efforts in adoption, spaying/neutering, and fostering programs.
Exploring the broader context, many animal welfare organizations nationwide face similar challenges due to socio-economic factors like financial hardships, limited access to pet healthcare, and insufficient awareness about responsible pet ownership.
The dedicated staff of the Salina Animal Shelter ensures the utmost care for the animals. Each animal receives necessary medical treatment and socialization, but the limited space and resources highlight the need for increased community support. Volunteers and foster families play a critical role in supporting the shelter’s operations and giving animals a comforting, temporary home environment.
Additionally, the Salina Animal Shelter works in partnership with other rescue organizations and shelters to transfer animals, particularly those facing breed-specific challenges such as pitbulls. Community involvement through donations, adopting pets, or volunteering can make a significant difference in alleviating the shelter’s capacity issues.
Educational outreach is another strategy the shelter employs to reduce intake rates. By raising awareness about spaying and neutering, responsible pet ownership, and legislative advocacy for animal welfare, the shelter hopes to foster a community with fewer homeless or abandoned animals.
The current pressures faced by the Salina Animal Shelter reflect the necessity for a collective community effort to support and sustain animal welfare. Through adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating, community members can contribute significantly to ensuring the well-being of the animals and supporting the shelter staff.
As the Salina Animal Shelter navigates this challenging period, its mission remains resolute: to provide sanctuary and care to every animal that enters its doors and to inspire a community that upholds the humane treatment and responsible care of all animals.