‘Critical situation.’ Dozens more dogs cram Charlotte shelter, prompting adoption plea
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control shelter faces “another critical space situation” after 43 dogs were entered into the facility on Friday, spokeswoman Melissa Knicely said Saturday
Knicely issued an adoption plea to the public.
“The past week, we felt like we could breathe a bit because space was actually good,” Knicely in an email to The Charlotte Observer and other media. “However, having 25 open kennels can change on a dime to having just a few. That happened yesterday.”
Media attention about extended shelter hours and fee-waived adoptions in recent weeks “made a huge impact” on crowding.
From March 7 to March 14, the shelter had a 90.49% live release rate, she said.
“Of all the animals entering the shelter, 90.49% left in a positive manner” through adoption, transfer to a rescue or animal welfare organization or being returned to their owner’s home.
“Sadly, with the number of dogs entering the shelter, we need that type of impact all the time in order to have space,” Knicely said.
Where, when to adopt
The main shelter, at 8315 Byrum Drive, is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays.
The satellite shelter, at 2700 Toomey Ave., is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days.
In October, City Council approved a rezoning for a new animal shelter and adoption center on seven acres between York Memorial Park and the Jeff Adams Tennis Center in the Yorkmount neighborhood, The Observer reported.
The new facility is expected to ease crowding at the main and satellite shelters. The satellite location is scheduled to close at an unknown date.