The Emporia Animal Shelter is usually full of cats and dogs awaiting adoption, and it’s now full enough so that it cannot accept stray animals.
Humane Society of the Flint Hills Director Stephanie Achille tells KVOE News capacity at 1216 Hatcher is always limited — and that capacity is usually taken, as is the case now.
Achille’s interview with KVOE News follows a number of complaints from community members, who say they have been advised to leave stray animals alone and the animals will find their ways home, according to one KVOE listener. Achille says there is “an animal control problem” in town, with a handful of pet owners that “could do better” along with others that truly care for their pets. With the shelter full, she is asking residents to either take on some of the short-term housing responsibilities or look elsewhere — at least for now.
Achille says residents considering pet surrenders can ask family and friends about rehoming the pets. They can also post in social media groups, reach out to local rescue operations and possibly look elsewhere to rescue operations in larger cities like Lawrence, Manhattan and Wichita. Residents can also go on a waiting list, although there is a surrender fee involved.
Residents who find strays need to call the shelter at 620-340-6345 to see if there is any space available. If there isn’t, residents are asked to return the animal to the place it was found because it might find its way back home. Residents can also take the pet in for temporary safekeeping — with the understanding the pet may consider it a permanent arrangement. The Animal Shelter will hold strays for hopeful owners at a cost of $20 per day for three days before making them available for adoptions.
Speaking of adoptions, those are also desired, and the Humane Society is organizing several special adoption events, including a $17 Saint Pitty and Kitty event on March 17 and a Pet Palooza at the Fairgrounds Anderson Building on March 19.
Pet owners are urged to microchip their pets, make sure they are wearing their pet licenses and make sure their yards are well-fenced.
The stray animal situation is different than the one for animal surrenders. Achille says the Animal Shelter does not accept voluntary pet surrenders, although it takes in court-ordered surrenders. Recently, the shelter had calls about potential surrenders, one involving 14 puppies and another involving 16 puppies, which management declined. One recent conversation with a petholder resulted in a kitten being thrown at staff.
Achille would like an expansion or a move to alleviate the current situation, but that could well need both City Commission approval and additional funding. Plans are in the conceptual stage at this time.
Achille says the Animal Shelter was grateful for its first involvement in the Emporia Community Foundation Match Day fundraiser last year, which brought in over $12,000 for the shelter, and the agency is developing partnerships with private individuals and others to help bolster funding.
