To help ease overcrowding, McKamey Animal Center will be hosting a 12-hour adoption event in mid-August.
In a statement Tuesday, shelter officials said large-scale hoarding cases and displaced animals from Hurricane Barry in New Orleans have helped contribute to the current situation. The shelter is housing more than 500 animals with 100 more in foster care. In 2018, it took in 6,800 animals.
"In just the last week alone, we took in over 200 animals, and they're still coming in," shelter Executive Director Jamie McAloon said in a statement. "Cat-hoarding cases alone have taken a huge toll with over 150 cats from just two homes."
A cat yawns while at McKamey Animal Center on Feb. 7, 2019 in ChattanoogaShelter officials said larger breed dogs are the hardest to place and comprise the largest portion of the canine population in the shelters. Besides kitten and puppy season, hot weather brings more numbers of neglect complaints and spikes in the number of officer-impounds due to poor living conditions, lack of shelter or neglect, the release states. This increase in impounds has contributed to the overcrowding in the shelter.
The Clear the Shelters event will be from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Aug. 17 at the shelter, located at 4500 N. Access Road.
Cats and kittens will be $5 and dog adoptions will be $25 (excluding Ambassadors and puppies.) The goal for the event is to find homes for all adoptable animals, the release states. All McKamey animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated according to their age, given parasite prevention, and cats are leukemia-tested and dogs are heartworm-tested.
Donations of treats, chew toys, raw hides, cat treats and toys are all welcome, as well as dry and canned dog, cat food and kitten formula.
For more information visit mckameyanimalcenter.org.