‘Out of space’: RI animal shelters facing capacity crisis with more surrenders than adoptions
by: Sarah Doiron, Kayla Fish
WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — “Drowning” and “at a breaking point.”
That’s how two animal shelter directors are describing their current situations.
Stephanie Aragao, director of Scruffy Paws Animal Rescue in Warwick, told 12 News the shelter is facing a capacity crisis that has only gotten worse over time.
“We are out of space,” she said. “I can’t even say we’re running out of space, because we are completely out of space.”
Aragao told 12 News the shelter has set up so-called “pop-up kennels” throughout the building to maximize their space.
“We have a cat [living] in our bathroom and we have a cat in our surgery room,” she said. “Our fosters are even doubling up.”
Aragao said the building is currently home to 75 cats, but the shelter is also responsible for dozens more currently living with foster families.
Until adoptions pick up, Aragao said the shelter is in a holding pattern.
“We like to help,” she said. “But we just have nowhere to put them.”
The East Greenwich Animal Protection League is in a similar situation, according to executive director Tammy Gallo.
Gallo said the shelter is home to a number of dogs, of which some have been there for more than a year.
“It’s just detrimental to their mental well being — for these animals to be sitting in shelters every day,” Gallo explained. “It’s not a home and it’s not a place for them to live.”
Gallo said that, instead of receiving adoption inquiries, the shelter is typically contacted regarding whether there’s room for even more surrenders.
“They’re moving or they can’t afford them anymore,” Gallo said when asked the most common reasons why owners surrender their pets. “We’re on rescue and surrender hold until we can move some of these animals.”
To make matters worse, Gallo said the shelter is experiencing a staffing shortage and has been forced to forgo other expenses to care for the animals living there.
“I’m not sure what our future is, which breaks my heart,” Gallo said. “I’ve spent 26 years of my life doing this and having this building.”
“It’s getting harder to make ends meet,” she continued. “We’ve fought the fight for so long, but we’re just at a certain point in time where I’m just not sure if we can keep going.”
But to do that, Gallo said her shelter and other rescues in similar situations need the public’s assistance — whether it’s through volunteering, fostering or adopting.
“If you’re on the fence when it comes to adopting a dog, now is the best time,” Gallo said. “There are plenty of dogs sitting in these rescues that are waiting for their forever home.”
Gallo and Aragao told 12 News donations, whether it be money or supplies, make a huge difference in ensuring the animals are cared for.
“We’re all in the same boat right now,” Aragao said.