“It’s a desperate situation,” shared Steeve Woltjer, a volunteer at Grand Rivers Humane Society. “These rescue dogs and cats urgently need homes.”

Pandemic Fallout and Its Long Shadow

The roots of the overcrowding crisis trace back to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Nan McNees, president of the Grand Rivers Humane Society Board, the problem has steadily worsened over the past three years.

During the early days of the pandemic, adoption rates surged as people sought companionship during lockdowns. But as normalcy returned, many pets were abandoned, straining shelters’ capacity.

“We’ve seen an increase in stray and unwanted animals,” said Woltjer. “Unfortunately, some people abandon pets in remote areas like the desert or near the Mesa.”

This troubling trend is not isolated to Grand Junction; it’s echoed across the nation as shelters struggle to find solutions.

Holidays Bring Added Challenges

Despite the festive season, this time of year doesn’t bring relief to shelters.

“With the holidays and everyone being busy, it’s not the most popular time for people to adopt,” explained Brittany Hesterman, a veterinary assistant at Roice Hurst Humane Society. “We always have animals in our shelter, but it feels especially crowded now.”

The problem extends beyond just the number of animals. There’s also a significant shortage of veterinary professionals, which limits spay and neuter operations and compounds the issue.

The Stories Behind Abandonment

Abandoning pets is a harsh reality that shelters deal with daily.

“Sometimes, people leave animals at the shelter’s doorstep,” Hesterman shared. “While it’s sad, it shows that someone cared enough to leave them with us instead of abandoning them completely.”

Stray animals often go unclaimed, adding to the already overwhelming number of rescues.

How Shelters Are Fighting Back

Local shelters are doing everything they can to help struggling pet owners and reduce the burden on their facilities.

Here’s what they offer:

• Pet pantries stocked with food and supplies for owners in financial distress.
• Temporary donations of pet essentials like food for those in urgent need.

“We rely on community support to provide these resources,” said Woltjer. “Every bit helps.”

The Numbers Speak Volumes

These statistics highlight the uphill battle shelters face, with adoption rates falling short of the incoming animal population.

Efforts continue, but the issue of overcrowding is a complex puzzle that needs community involvement, policy changes, and increased resources to solve.