Animal facility more crowded than ever
Animal Services Director Joe Pulcinella led a special meeting on Monday outlining steps the animal center will take to curb the influx of abandoned animals.
Just how many animals is the center taking in these days?
Last year, the center took in 5,067 animals, up 22 percent since 2005. Pulcinella said the numbers have climbed since 2005 but really spiked in the last two years.
The economy has made it hard for many families to keep their pets. This spring, the center saw three to four times more puppies coming in than they normally do. The center had to convert some cat space to fit all the puppies.
To help solve the influx, the center is considering a two-puppy limit for non-residents. Pulcinella said the center sometimes gets an entire litter of puppies.
"These probably aren't strays but unplanned litters," Pulcinella said. "Some are people who deliberately breed dogs to sell but later can't find homes for the litter."
Read today's article on page A3 to find out what a frustrated councilman said about the animal center and what Pulcinella's plans are for retirement.
Just how many animals is the center taking in these days?
Last year, the center took in 5,067 animals, up 22 percent since 2005. Pulcinella said the numbers have climbed since 2005 but really spiked in the last two years.
The economy has made it hard for many families to keep their pets. This spring, the center saw three to four times more puppies coming in than they normally do. The center had to convert some cat space to fit all the puppies.
To help solve the influx, the center is considering a two-puppy limit for non-residents. Pulcinella said the center sometimes gets an entire litter of puppies.
"These probably aren't strays but unplanned litters," Pulcinella said. "Some are people who deliberately breed dogs to sell but later can't find homes for the litter."
Read today's article on page A3 to find out what a frustrated councilman said about the animal center and what Pulcinella's plans are for retirement.
Leave a comment