Dozens of dogs risk euthanasia at Lexington animal shelter if nobody adopts soon. How to help

Man’s best friend is facing increased danger at a shelter in Lexington due to an overcrowding crisis.

Lexington County Animal Services had to shut down 18 kennels for renovation and since each kennel holds two to three dogs, their available space is “very limited.” Because the shelter was already over capacity, 26 dogs are now at risk for euthanasia, according to their Facebook page.

As a result, the shelter needs a spike in adoptions this week to protect its dogs from euthanasia.

They are not technically a no-kill shelter, as they are a municipal, open-admission animal control agency. They might euthanize animals for space, health or temperament reasons. However, they are a partner of Best Friends Animal Society, which is a national organization that helps local shelters save as many animals as possible.

The shelter can only handle 92 dogs at a time, and currently, they have a total population of 118 dogs. Between March 2 and March 8, they took in 58 dogs, got 23 dogs adopted and had to euthanize 25 dogs.

The week before’s numbers were even worse. The shelter had to take in 93 dogs, got 17 dogs adopted, but only euthanized 14 dogs. They were still over capacity by 45 dogs, putting all 45 at risk for euthanasia.

Some rescues are facing increased pressure and are especially concerned because of the current crisis.

How an animal rescue is reacting

A director of one of the foster-based rescues that frequently pulls animals from the shelter told The State she wants to make sure the situation is crystal clear to the public.

They said that rescues are strained enough as it is, and if dogs don’t get adopted soon from the Lexington County Animal Shelter, many of them will die.

“Rescues can only do so much,” they said. “Most of us don’t have facilities, and those that do can only take so much, and are all full too.”

Additionally, as more dogs come in with the shelters’ limited available space, dogs that are in the very back of the shelter, hidden behind their walls, are more at risk of facing euthanasia.

“The dog that’s there the longest that hasn’t gotten any attention or interest, might be a wonderful animal and could be euthanized,” she said. “So please go and adopt. And if you can’t adopt, foster.”

How can you adopt or foster?

All animals at Lexington County Animal Services undergo physical exams and get their necessary treatments before being put up for adoption. Adoption fees were originally $40, but during this time of need, throughout the month of March, the shelter reduced the price to $10 for cats and dogs.

You can check all the animals that are put up for adoption here.

Once you click on the link, select adopt, enter the 29072 zip code, and choose which furry friend you’d like to adopt.

If you’re not ready to adopt, you can always foster, which gives an animal in need a temporary home. While Lexington County Animal Services doesn’t have an official foster program local animal rescues partner with the organization to help people foster an animal of their choice.