The City of Minneapolis animal shelter is expanding it's weekday hours in response to an "extraordinary" increase in surrendered pets.
Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC) took in over 1,700 dogs and cats in the first seven months of 2023, a 25% increase from last year.
Shelter director Caroline Hairfeild says this crisis is hitting shelters nationwide.
"We're seeing just an incredible influx of animals and animal shelters where there's more coming in than there is going out," says Hairfield. "There's lots of different reasons that's happening, but the main reason that we're seeing animals surrendered here is for housing crisis. People who are getting evicted or losing their housing."
Adoption fees are currently waived for all adoptions at MACC during their ongoing "clear the shelter" event.
You can apply to adopt a pet from their shelter if you:
Are at least 18-years-old
Can show a valid government-issued ID with your current address
Have knowledge and consent of all adults living in your household
Have your landlord’s consent to bring an animal onto the property
Understand that all other pets in your house must be up to date on their rabies vaccine
Understand that we have the right to refuse the adoption of any animal
The Minneapolis shelter says all animals available for adoption are completely healthy. All cats and dogs available for adoption are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.