The Humane Society animal shelter is struggling with overcrowding and a lack of people willing to adopt animals because many landlords on Grand Cayman will not permit pets on their properties.
‘Before Hurricane Ivan adoption rates were low, but that is much more of a problem now,’ explained Ms Sugar Evans, who is in charge of the facility.
‘It’s very difficult to find homes for the animals and we are over our limit at the moment,’ she said.
Suited to holding about 36 dogs and 30 to 35 cats, the compound is now teeming with 51 cats and nearly 50 dogs.
‘Most people come in; have a look, and when we ask them about adopting an animal they say their landlord does not allow pets.
‘We have had other people sign up to adopt and when we go and make a visit to see if the home is suitable we find out that animals are not permitted there.’
Ms Evans is asking that property owners at least consider a policy of allowing animals, without just saying no straight out.
‘I would ask them to consider letting the tenant pay extra for the animal, or to let the person put up a pet deposit against damage,’ she said.
When the shelter gets too overcrowded animals have to be put to sleep.
‘We don’t have any set time for allowing animals to stay here,’ she said. ‘It’s just a matter of the shelter getting really overcrowded and when this happens the animals can start to get stressed and the dogs in particular begin to fight,’ she said.
The decision of which animals are put to sleep must be made depending on temperament and how long each animal has been at the facility for.
According to Ms Evans, some animals can continually go unnoticed by the public if younger, cuter ones with outgoing personalities come along and are snapped up instead.
She stressed the importance of spaying and neutering pets in order to keep populations down, especially now when adoption levels are low.
Those who adopt an animal are asked for a small donation to go towards this but Ms. Evans stated that if a person wishes to adopt and cannot afford this small fee, the shelter will still go ahead and pay for it.
The shelter is always looking for volunteers for fundraising, to feed animals, clean the facility and walk the dogs. Any donations such as dog or cat food, leashes, laundry soap or bleach are always welcome.
The public is reminded that there are drop off boxes outside the facility for both the thrift shop and book shop, so donations can be dropped off even outside of opening hours.
Call 949 1461 to contact the shelter.
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