Wichita Animal Shelter officials and the Kansas Humane Society are urging residents to take action as both facilities reach capacity and continue receiving new animals each day. The Wichita Animal Shelter, which holds lost, stray and abandoned animals, is full for both dogs and cats, while the Kansas Humane Society—serving as an adoption partner for many of those animals—is also at capacity.
Shelter manager Emily Hurst said about 30 animals enter the Wichita Animal Shelter daily, creating a shortage of available kennel space. When animals are adopted next door, it opens kennel space and helps prevent overcrowding from limiting options for animals already in care. To reduce pressure on space, the Kansas Humane Society is offering reduced adoption fees through Sunday.
Adult dogs 6 months and older (excluding select high-profile dogs) can be adopted for $100, and adult cats 1 year and older can be adopted for $50. Kansas Humane Society communications director Jordan Bani-Younes said staff are working to avoid euthanasia whenever possible, but that overcrowding and limited rescue and foster capacity have become more of a concern in recent weeks. The groups are also seeking more foster homes and encourage people to visit the Kansas Humane Society website for information on adopting, fostering, and donating.