(From the Associated Press) Too many animals, not enough space — that’s been the mantra of humane societies and shelters throughout South Carolina for months. Shelters all over the state are experiencing overwhelming numbers of animals making it difficult to keep up to give them homes.
In the Upstate, Greenville County Animal Care has so many animals it is euthanizing some for space — something they hate doing, said Paula Church, the shelter’s community relations coordinator.
She said they look at animals with behavioral issues — for example, if a dog had bitten a child — and severe medical issues that would require lots of time and expense.
Part of the problem was caused by the winding down of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, which at first took the burden off shelters as more people adopted pets to keep families busy or to be company for employees working from home.
Church also said the shelter partners with rescue organizations across the country, almost daily to transport animals to other shelters.