“We don’t have any statistical evidence, but we have seen some examples, or anecdotal evidence,” Walter Hetzel, supervisor of the Temple Animal Shelter, said regarding whether or not pet adoptions are decreasing, while drop-offs or surrenders have increased.
“I remember a little while back one gentleman came in to adopt a dog and right after he did he went with his wife to pick up their paychecks,” he said. “When they got to work, they found out that they had just gotten laid off - they ended up bringing the dog right back.
“I also remember another guy who came in here recently to drop off a dog because he had just been laid off of work and was living in his car - he decided he couldn’t take care of his dog like that,” Hetzel said.
The numbers, however, “aren’t there,” he said about increases in animal surrenders.
“They’re right around what we’re always at - they’re normal,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s because (Central Texas) hasn’t completely been hit by the economic downturn or what - it’s hard to say,” he said.
According to recent articles, there have been numerous animal shelters and centers closing across the country since last summer. One article, out of Iron Station, N.C., stated that a no-kill shelter closed last month because adoptions were too low, causing losses of thousands of dollars each month.
Ginger Smith-Holmes, a manager at the Centex Humane Society, a no-kill shelter in Killeen, said the number of animal surrenders and adoptions are at normal levels.
“We sometimes hear things like, ‘Oh, I’ve just lost my job, I can’t afford to take care of my dog, can you take him in?’ But I haven’t heard anything recently directly related to the economy. It has always been like that,” she said. “We always try to do everything we can to help owners out so they can keep their animals in those situations.”
For example, she said the shelter will help out with food or let pet owners know about vaccination clinics, she said.
“We’re a no-kill shelter, so we’re limited by space,” Ms. Smith-Holmes said. “If someone asks me if they can bring an animal in, I can’t take them in if we’re full and there’s no space.”
Ms. Smith-Holmes did say donations to the shelter are down.
“We would like to see an increase in that respect,” she said. “We can really take in anything - money is nice, but we could use donations for things like cleaning supplies.”
In Temple, Hetzel said the animal shelter is prepared for an increase in animal surrenders, should it happen.
“We should be OK. I think we’re equipped and supplied to take in animals should there be a steady increase,” he said. “But from what we’ve seen so far, there are no indications for a major increase or issues in the future. I don’t think things are as bad here as they are in many areas.”
Hetzel said on average about nine dogs and eight cats are brought into the shelter daily, while four dogs and three cats are adopted.
For information on the Temple Animal Shelter, visit www.ci.temple.tx.us/index.asp?nid=91 or call 254-298-5732.
For information on the Centex Humane Society, visit , or call 254-526-6200.
