The animal shelter said it saw a 35% increase in abandoned pets over this time in 2019.
DENVER — The Denver Animal Shelter (DAS) announced it is temporarily reducing its pet adoption fee to $5 as shelters in the metro area face a capacity crunch.
So far this year, DAS said it has seen a 35% increase in abandoned pets compared to the same period in 2019.
DAS said dogs and small animals, in particular, were dropped off at higher rates.
A list of all animals currently available online can be found on the DAS website. DAS also recommends checking the lost pet list to put an animal on hold before it becomes available.
> Video above from May 2021: Animal shelters caring for people who return their pets after the pandemic.
DAS urges anyone looking to add a pet, including small animals, to adopt from a local shelter instead of a pet store. DAS currently has several small animals for adoption including turtles, guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters.
If owning a pet is not possible, becoming an adoptive parent is another option.
Foster parents keep animals for short periods of time (usually a few weeks to a few months), allowing them to get away from life in a kennel.
“The Denver Animal Shelter team provides the best possible care to all animals that come through our doors. As the number of animals in our care continues to grow, we are asking for help from our community,” said said Meghan Dillmore, Director of DAS Shelter Services “While we do everything in our power to find a home for every animal, we are not always successful. If you are looking to rehoming your pet because you think that someone else could give him a better life, please reconsider.At present, the best place for your pet is with you.
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