Local shelter posts strong message about people who are calling to surrender their dogs – WTVG

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A local animal shelter is sending a strong message about being a responsible dog owner and it’s getting a huge response. The Fulton County Humane Society posted a message on Facebook about the increasing number of people asking to surrender dogs. And the shelter certainly didn’t mince words.

The message makes it clear that surrendering a dog because it’s gotten too big or you don’t have time for it anymore is not acceptable. Shelter leaders say they hope the message gets through loud and clear.

“It needed to be said. It needed to be out there,” Sarah Klopfenstein, who wrote the post said.

Klopfenstein is the volunteer social media coordinator for the humane society.

“It did feel good to get it off my chest. What is happening has been weighing heavily on all our hearts,” Klopfenstein said.

Everyone at the Archbold shelter supported sharing the message.

“People need to read it and hear it. Sometimes, it’s hard to see and hear these things, but it needs to be heard,” Klopfenstein said.

“This is a situation so dire, there is no sugar-coating it. We have to be straight to the point,” Stephanie Moore, a Humane Agent and Director at the shelter said.

Shelter leaders say the number of people asking to surrender their dogs to the shelter has increased sharply in recent weeks. Moore said the calls picked up this week.

“Between Monday and Friday, we had 10 calls and all the same reason: I don’t have time, and I want to surrender my dog,” Moore said.

The post sends a clear message to people who want to surrender their dogs. Saying in part, to be responsible pet owners. Dogs are a commitment. If you think you won’t have time for it in a year, don’t get one. It goes on to say, that owning a dog means having time, money and patience for it. These are living creatures. We owe it to them to be better humans and care for them as they deserve.

Klopfenstein said she loses sleep over listening to some of the reasons people want to dump their dogs at a shelter.

“They tell us things like they were pups, and now they’re big. They chewed up something, they chased the cat. They are moving and the new place doesn’t allow dogs. They haven’t even tried things they should first like contacting a vet or a trainer,” Klopfenstein said.

“We can’t take a dog that has bitten someone. We can’t safely re-home that dog. Get with a behavioralist a vet or a trainer,” Moore said.

Klopfenstein said there are plenty of serious challenges in life that warrant surrendering a pet.

“We want to be able to take dogs if you have a house fire, you’re in the hospital or have to go into long-term care or you lose your house because of a job loss. We need to have room for those dogs and dogs that are brought in by humane agents.”

The message has reached tens of thousands of people.

“The response has been overwhelmingly supportive. People have been telling us thank you, thank you for saying this. They’re also saying shout it louder for the people in the back. Because this is the same story at shelters around the country, it is a nationwide crisis,” Moore said.

Shelter leaders say the hope is that the message helps people think about getting a trainer or stops people from getting a dog if they don’t have the time or resources. And if you need help, ask for it. The Fulton County Humane Society and many other organizations are willing to help if they can. The goal is to keep pets with their people.

If you’d like to learn more about the shelter and the animals up for adoption, or if you’d like to read the entire post, click here.

The Fulton County Humane Society is always in need of donations and volunteers.

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