Despite the pandemic being behind us, shelters are still facing the issue of being overfilled, even years later.
“When I first started 9 years ago, we always had open spaces in our shelter. Now we fill spaces within about 90 seconds,” says Natalie Thomson, chief communications officer of Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL). “Saying ‘no’ to an animal in need is one of the hardest things in the world, but when there is physically no place to put them, you have to.”
#23 My Fosters Disappeared, And I Couldn’t Find Them Until I Went To Check On My Toddler
Space isn’t the only concern—shelters also struggle with funding. Providing medical care, food, and toys for the animals is expensive, and many shelters, like ACSA, rely heavily on donations to keep going. “I don’t mention it often on Reddit, but we survive on donations, the sale of cat food and litter, and fundraising events,” Sonia admits.
If adopting isn’t an option for you, there are still plenty of ways to help. Donating or volunteering at a shelter like Sonia does can make a huge difference. Each interaction brings joy to the animals and helps them find homes faster, while every financial contribution ensures they’re well cared for and given the love they deserve.
#29 Customer’s Dog Brought Me The Smallest Stick She Could Find, And Then Ran Fifty Feet Away So I Could Throw It For Her
#30 My Little Friend Was Recently Unwell And Spent A Few Nights In The Hospital. This Is The First Thing He Did When I Went To Visit Him
#34 This Isn’t My Dog But We Had To Stop Our Tour To Say Hi To The Magical Pupper
#36 My Dog (Standard Poodle) Smiles Every Time I Come Back Home. He Has Been Smiling Ever Since He Was 6 Months Old. The Vet Said She Never Saw A Dog Smile This Big! Such A Sweet Puppy
