Animal shelter says amount of people calling to surrender their dogs is out of control

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) - An animal shelter in Ohio is sending a strong message about being a responsible dog owner and it’s getting a huge response.

The Fulton County Humane Society posted a message online about the increasing number of people asking to surrender dogs.

The team made it clear that surrendering a dog because it’s gotten too big, or owners don’t have time for it anymore is not acceptable.

Shelter leaders say they hope the message gets through loud and clear.

“It needed to be said. It needed to be out there,” Sarah Klopfenstein, a volunteer social media coordinator for the humane society, said.  “It did feel good to get it off my chest. What is happening has been weighing heavily on all our hearts.”

Those at the shelter said they supported sharing the message.

“This is a situation, a dire situation. We have to be straight to the point,” Stephanie Moore, an agent and director at the shelter, said.

According to the shelter, the number of people asking to surrender their dogs has increased sharply in recent weeks. Moore said the calls picked up this week.

“Between Monday and Friday, we had 10 calls and all the same reason: I don’t have time and I want to surrender my dog,” she said.

Klopfenstein said she loses sleep over listening to some of the reasons people want to dump their dogs at a shelter.

“They tell us things like they were pups, and now they’re big. They chewed up something, they chased the cat. They are moving and the new place doesn’t allow dogs. They haven’t even tried things they should first like contacting a vet or a trainer,” she said.

The shelter team said they want their messaging to remind people to be responsible pet owners and that dogs are a commitment.

“If you think you won’t have time then don’t get one. Owning a dog means having time, money and patience for it. These are living creatures. We owe it to them to be better humans and care for them as they deserve,” the shelter shared.

Klopfenstein said there are plenty of serious challenges in life that warrant surrendering a pet.

“We want to be able to take dogs if you have a house fire, you’re in the hospital or have to go into long-term care or you lose your house because of a job loss. We need to have room for those dogs and dogs that are brought in by humane agents,” she said.

Wednesday’s Facebook post has since been shared more than 800 times while receiving over 1,000 reactions.

“The response has been overwhelmingly supportive. People have been telling us thank you, thank you for saying this. They’re also saying shout it louder for the people in the back. Because this is the same story at shelters around the country, it is a nationwide crisis,” Moore said.

More information about how to assist the Fulton County Humane Society team is available online.