Dogs are being turned over to Dumb Friends League shelters across Colorado in huge numbers, nearly overwhelming the facilities and prompting appeals for help from shelter directors.
The Lesline A. Malone Center in Denver, Buddy Center in Castle Rock, and San Luis Valley Animal Center in Alamosa have all recently seen a significant increase in relinquished and homeless dogs, according to a Dumb Friends League news release.
Compared to 2019, dog surrenders at the League are up 15% while stray dog intakes are up 41%, the news release states. “In March alone, more than 1,100 animals came to the League from our community,” said Apryl Steele, president and CEO of the Denver Dumb Friends League in the news release.
“The League traditionally sees a rise in relinquished dogs during the summer, so an increase in spring is cause for concern,” Steele said.
The problem is different at the Longmont Humane Society, deputy director Mitchell Willis said. High staff turnover is plaguing the facility and often means there are not enough people to care for the lower numbers of animals sheltered there, Willis said via email.
“Additionally, our volunteer numbers still haven’t rebounded to pre-pandemic levels,” Willis said. In 2019, LHS had 830 active volunteers across all departments and job duties, who contributed over 41,000 hours.
Two years later, LHS had 350 active volunteers who contributed almost 21,000 hours, Willis said. LHS currently has 400 volunteers actively contributing hours, he said.
LHS took in 126 surrendered dogs in the first quarter of 2019, 156 strays and 196 came from other agencies during that same period, he said.
In the first quarter of this year, LHS added 110 surrendered dogs, 134 strays and 161 in transfers, Willis said.
LHS averages about 400 adoptions a year and most come to get a new pet, Willis said. “Many folks who come in are regularly waiting for something special,” he said.
“Others are in need of a companion,” Willis said, adding LHS provides space for families to meet their prospective pet and spend some quality time with them to determine if they are the right fit.
There is no singular reason for the uptick in dog numbers at Dumb Friends League shelters as well as other shelters in the state, according to the news release.
“Life changes, moves, new jobs, in-person return to work, financial challenges, people losing their homes all could play roles,” the news release states.
Pet owners considering relinquishing their dogs, are asked to call the League’s Call Center at 303-751-5772,
