“We are in a space crisis”: Broward Animal Care drops adoption fees as shelter hits capacity limit
Broward County, Florida – Animal Care in Broward County has raised the alert and is asking people in the area to help with a shelter crisis that has never happened before. The animal shelter, which is the county’s main place for adopting dogs and taking care of them, is completely full. Kennels are full, and new pets come in every day. The agency is now asking the community to act right away, calling the situation “911 for pets” and highlighting the need for both short-term and long-term solutions.
Officials report that all of the spaces are full, and every day additional dogs and cats come through the doors. This inflow is putting a lot of strain on resources.
“We are in a space crisis,” said Doug Brightwell, Broward County Animal Care Director. “Our shelter is filled with amazing pets – dogs and cats of all ages and personalities – who are just waiting for a second chance. We’re asking our community to open their hearts and homes to help us create the space we desperately need. The power of community is real. Even if you cannot adopt or foster, simply sharing our posts or telling a friend could save a life.”
The message to the public is clear: if you can, adopt a pet, or if you can’t, foster one for a short time. For some of the animals at the shelter, either option could spell the difference between life and death. Foster care for a few days can help with overcrowding and provide room for new arrivals. Adoption, on the other hand, is a permanent solution.
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Before leaving the shelter, all pets offered for adoption are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped. The agency has dropped all adoption costs to get more families to step up.
Broward County Animal Care says it’s important to share the news for people who can’t take in a pet right now. Sharing links to adoptable pets, writing about them on social media, or just telling friends and neighbors how much the shelter needs help can all make a difference. Sometimes, all it takes is for the right person to see one post. That share could help a pet find a new home.
People who want to help can go to PetAdoptions.Broward.org to see what animals are available or to find out more about fostering. You can also send questions by email to [email protected].
Broward County Animal Care is at a very important point right now, and it’s evident that the shelter can’t handle the overpopulation problem on its own. The agency is counting on the community to assist bring pets into safe, loving homes by being nice and taking action.
