Across the country, summer is the busiest time of year for animal shelters, partly due to increased travel by pet owners as well as breeders contributing to the overpopulation problem with animals they bred in spring. This trend also holds true in the Morongo Basin, with our shelters feeling the strain of high volume and slowed adoption rates. Shelters such as the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter, the Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter in Twentynine Palms, and the Yucca Valley Animal Shelter have reported crowded populations at their facilities this summer.
Angel Donohue, the manager of the No-Kill Shelter, cited the closing of spay/neuter clinics and veterinary hospitals during the COVID pandemic as part of the reason for an increased animal population. The shelter receives between 20 and 40 daily calls to surrender and currently has a waitlist of over 50 animals pending acceptance.
Matthew Klink from the Palms-N-Paws Animal Shelter in Twentynine Palms noted that this year is their busiest yet; June was the worst month for animal intake, with over 100 animals brought in. While he says that most of the animals brought in are strays, surrenders are also common at the shelter. Klink suggested the economy seems to be a factor in these decisions; most individuals say they can either no longer afford the animal, can no longer care for them, or are moving and unable to take their animal with them.
Some shelters aim to combat high populations by hosting targeted fundraising and adoption events. Last month, Palms-N-Paws hosted a fundraiser for the shelter that included discounted adoption fees. In addition to garnering a few adoptions, the event raised $3,000 for the shelter’s spay/neuter fund. Volunteers from the shelter also bring a small selection of animals to the weekly Twentynine Palms Farmer’s Market to promote adoption.
This weekend, another nearby shelter is also looking to combat overcrowding. The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is hosting a ‘Clear the Shelters’ adoption event for dogs and cats. Silvercrest Advertising will cover all adoption fees to help place animals with lifelong homes, though interested individuals will still be vetted via the shelter’s regular application process.
The Yucca Valley Animal Shelter is also running its Summertime Adoption Spectacular event through the end of August. Adoption fees are discounted to $40 for dogs and $20 for cats; the fee includes vaccines, spay/neuter costs, a microchip, and a dog leash or cat carrier.
Adopting an animal is a substantial commitment; adding a new animal to the home is not the right fit for everyone and is not the only way to show support. Local shelters accept monetary donations and donations of food, linens, or gently used pet supplies for use by animals awaiting adoption. Volunteers are welcome at the Palms-N-Paws and Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter as well.
