By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
In what's becoming an unfortunate trend, the St. Joseph Animal Shelter is overflowing with cats and dogs that are up for adoption.
Friends of the Animal Shelters Melanie Barnes says currently there is a desperate need for people to adopt or foster pets.
"We are full all the time, as are other shelters and rescues around the state of Missouri and the Midwest," Barnes tells guest host on the KFEQ Hotline Brent Martin. "I don't know if like post COVID it's hard to get into your vet and get them spayed and neutered and then we end up with accidental litters, more puppies on the ground, more cats on the ground."
Barnes says there is limited space available at the shelter with the need for adoption growing.
Barnes says there are several types of cats and dogs available.
"If there's any way, you're potentially looking for a pet go down there, there's no application, go down its first come first serve," Barnes explains. "We also have pets in foster care, dogs in foster care, and we have dogs in our Puppies for Parole program so out at the prison."
Barnes says even if you don't find a pet you like at the shelter, there could be one online that's available.
"Make sure you're looking online as well as going down there for a potential adoptable pet," Barnes says.
Barnes says if you can't adopt, you can always help the Friends of the Animal Shelter with donations of product
"Or donating money, obviously we're paying for a lot of the adoption fees and medical fees, so we're always looking for monetary donations as well," Barnes points out.
You can view pets available for adoption, volunteer at the animal shelter, and donate at pet-for-u dot com.