CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s the Dog Days of Summer through Friday at the Kanawha-Charleston Animal Shelter. Between April and August, the no-kill shelter takes in an average of 2,000 dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. They all need good homes and they all need adopted ASAP.
Shelter director Chelsea Staley explained they are offering 50 percent off the adoption fees for all dogs 30 lbs and over, as well as cats and kittens.
“We need to move some large dogs desperately. We don’t have enough large kennels to house the dogs we have them in. We have them in temporary kennels in the building next door.”
It’s not an ideal situation. Staley said these animals need loving care and they’re willing to discount adoption fees if that means the pets will go to forever homes.
“We can only save as many animal’s lives as the public helps us save. The (animals) just can’t come here and stay forever. They have to leave quickly,” stressed Staley.
With 278 animals on site, 160 of those dogs and 118 cats, the shelter is looking at a crowding crisis that’s not healthy for the animals.
With the Dog Days of Summer, the goal is to adopt out 20 animals a day to help manage the numbers. Staley said you can’t go wrong with a pet from the shelter.
“We’ve got some beauties, some fantastic dogs. We have tons of dogs that are great with dogs, cats, kids. We have dogs that are house broken,” said Staley. “We have some really well behaved, wonderful animals here.”
You can see the pets up for adoption on Facebook at Kanawha Charleston Humane Association.