Animal Shelter in Urgent Need of Help

As mentioned in the last few weeks, the Toccoa Stephens County Animal Shelter’s overpopulation issue is ongoing and they are now urgently asking for help as they are currently housing 281 animals.

According to Executive Director Jeff Roberts, the shelter is only staffed and budgeted to care for 150 animals, which is what they normally take in per month.

However, in the last 30 days, they have taken in 335 dogs and cats, with 188 of them being cats.

“We’re okay on dogs, but it’s cats and kittens- we encourage people to come adopt a pair,” said Roberts. “We’re doing a buy one, get one free promotion to get them out the door.”

Roberts said they are under a lot of stress trying to care for this many animals and he asks the community for help by adopting or volunteering.

“They can come volunteer at the shelter, they can buy us supplies,” said Roberts. “We don’t have extra budget for this, we just have to deal with it. So volunteering, or providing supplies or a donation would help us handle this situation.”

Materials that the shelter needs include paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent and canned dog and cat food.

Roberts said that this is a county wide problem.

“Right now we are dealing with the county’s pet overpopulation issue and we need everyone to step forward to help us deal with the problem,” said Roberts.

If you’re interested in adopting, donating or volunteering, contact the shelter at 706.282.3275 or stop by the shelter Tuesday-Saturday, 11-6 p.m.