Santa Clara County officials say there is an “urgent need” for fostering and adopting dogs.
The county’s Animal Services Center in San Martin is over capacity, and officials there have announced that the public can help by adopting and fostering dogs.
Lisa Jenkins, program manager of the Animal Services Center, said the situation is unprecedented in her eight years with the center.
“If you believe in our mission, and that these animals are deserving of a home, we need you more than ever to choose adoption,” Jenkins said.
The 37,000-square-foot shelter in San Martin has housed as many as 70 dogs lately, with just 42 kennels. Staff have had to get creative to find room for them, housing dogs in rooms not originally intended for that purpose.
The increase is part of a national trend. The number of dogs arriving at shelters rose 10.1% from January to September 2022 compared with the same period last year, according to Best Friends Network, a nonprofit comprised of shelters and animal welfare organizations in all 50 states.
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