Charlotte Animal Shelter Overcrowding Improves After Dropping Fees, Still Needs Adopters

Last week brought relief to a packed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care facility. By cutting adoption costs, staff freed up 31 spaces. This shift helped ease the tight squeeze that had pushed the building to its limits.

"We only had two dog kennels open, that was in the afternoon. Two kennels open basically means we have no room, which gets us to have to make euthanasia decisions," said Communications & Outreach Manager Melissa Knicely, according to WBTV.

The building holds 200 animals at most. Staff cut fees when August's intake nearly maxed out space. While the situation has improved, workers watch the numbers closely each day.

"We never know what the next day, next hour, will bring because we could quickly fill back up again," Knicely said.

Cash troubles push most owners to give up their pets. As rent climbs in Charlotte, pet costs add up fast. Buildings ask $350 to $450 up front for pets, then tack on $30-35 each month.

"Basically, connects back to financial issues. A lot is associated with economic ties, such as if they are having to move, and having to go to another rental situation, there are steep costs with pet deposits, for instance," Knicely explained.

Though space has opened up, the need for new homes stays strong. Joy Brown visited last week, hoping to find a friend.

"I want a dog to walk with. I want a companion, somebody to struggle with. They are very loving, they will be there forever," Brown said.

Want to meet these pets? Check the city's website for current listings, but staff say nothing beats seeing these animals face-to-face.