Local animal shelter faces overcrowding after high number of stray intakes

SAVANNAH, Tenn. — Employees at a local shelter are asking for help from West Tennessee animal lovers.

After taking in a large number of stray dogs, Hardin County Animal Services is now faced with overcrowding concerns.

“They know commands, they wear a collar, but they don’t have a microchip or a tag, and nobody comes to claim them,” Debbie Nowicki, director of the center, said. “We often wonder, maybe people who are not connected with the internet are not really aware that they can come here, walk through and look for their animal.”

She said warm weather might be causing dogs to stray away from home, but the center can only hold so many and overcrowding is starting to become an issue.

Almost 100 dogs are currently housed at the center, but Nowicki said only 85 or less fit comfortably.

And to make matters worse, she said late winter is the worst time to have an overcrowded shelter because fewer people adopt this time of year.

“January, February and March we do very few adoptions,” she said. “People are still suffering sticker shock from the holidays or they are taking vacations.”

The center will host an adoption event from noon to 7 p.m. March 3 and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 4 in hopes of reuniting some owners with their furry friends.

If you have a lost dog, Nowicki said the first place you should look is your local shelter. She also said waiting for your pet to show up is not a good idea.