'That Time Of Year': How To Help Crowded T-Town Animal Shelter

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Spring and early summer months typically mean a higher influx of pets at community animal shelters and Tuscaloosa is proving no exception.

The Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter said this week that it has received 275 animals in June alone, and while the shelter has been proactive in hosting mobile adoption events and specials, options continue to be slim with such a high intake of new faces.

"An over-crowded shelter is not the best place for an animal, despite our best work," the shelter said in a Facebook post. "It’s loud and stressful. The more animals we have, the more get sick faster. The staff and volunteers are stressed daily trying to take them all out, bathe them, and provide adequate care. There is never enough time in the day."

TMAS then provided the following ways to help the overcrowded shelter ...

• If you have an animal you want to place, consider keeping your pet
• If you need short-term help, reach out to TMAS.
• If you feel you must re-home, try rehoming yourself first. The shelter says it should be the last resort for owner surrenders, as its resources are better used for emergencies, spay/neuter support and truly lost animals.
• Take a found animal to have it scanned for a microchip before calling animal control.
• Spay or neuter your pet.

To learn more about fostering a pet, volunteering or donating, visit the shelter's website by clicking here.

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