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CLEVELAND, Ohio — More than 30 dogs arrived at Cleveland’s city kennel in less than two days, leaving the already-full facility out of space and prompting an urgent plea for adopters, owners of missing dogs and foster families.
“This is not a sustainable pace and we are out of space,” City Dogs Cleveland said in a Facebook post.
City Dogs Cleveland is the adoption and volunteer program for Cleveland Animal Care & Control. The city agency must accept dogs found as strays for public safety, along with dogs that may have been abandoned or left without adequate shelter.
“When we get full, we can’t just close,” City Dogs said. “It means that some dogs don’t get as many chances or as much time as they otherwise would.”
Crowding also increases stress among dogs already living in the kennel, the program said.
The latest influx comes days after City Dogs reported that 97 dogs had arrived since July 5. At the time, 115 dogs were available for adoption between the kennel and foster homes.
City Dogs is asking residents to help by adopting available dogs, reclaiming missing pets, fostering through partner rescue organizations and taking steps to keep their own dogs from getting loose.
How to adopt a City Dog
City Dogs charges a $61 adoption fee, which covers spaying or neutering, a microchip, a county dog license and basic vaccinations.
Prospective adopters can view available dogs online and complete a meet-and-greet request form. Scheduling an appointment is strongly recommended so an adoption counselor is available.
Adopters must be at least 18. City Dogs asks that everyone in the household, including resident dogs, participate in the meet-and-greet process.
Because most dogs arrive as strays, the kennel generally does not know their backgrounds and cannot guarantee how they will behave in a home. Adopters may meet multiple dogs to find the right match and should be prepared to bring a dog home within a few days because the kennel cannot hold animals for extended periods.
What to do if your dog is missing
Owners of missing dogs should check the Cleveland kennel at 9203 Detroit Ave., call 216-664-3069 or view lost and found dogs online.
City Dogs said many of the animals entering the kennel have families searching for them, but some owners do not know where to look.
Pet owners also are encouraged to check gates and latches, keep dogs securely leashed or inside fenced yards and make sure they wear identification tags.
The city kennel offers microchips for $25. Owners should call 216-664-3069 before visiting to confirm the service is available.
Fostering and other ways to help
City Dogs works with rescue organizations that take dogs from the kennel, but many need additional foster homes before they can accept more animals.
People interested in fostering can review rescue organizations seeking volunteers and apply directly to a group. Most provide medical care and supplies for foster dogs.
Residents also can donate money through Friends of City Dogs Cleveland or give supplies such as treats, chew toys, leashes and waste bags.
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