02/16/2024
Please share....
Dear Community Members,
We are reaching out to you today with a plea for urgent assistance. Despite our tireless efforts this week to lower adoption fees and promote the adoption of our already affordable animals, we find ourselves in a critical situation at the Stafford County Animal Shelter. As of now, we are housing a staggering 38 dogs available for adoption. However, our responsibilities extend beyond just adoptable pets.
As an open admission facility, we are committed to serving every citizen of our county, which means we cannot turn away any animals brought to us for surrender. This commitment, coupled with the arrival of stray animals, those requiring quarantine, and those held for legal reasons, has pushed our current canine population to 50.
We want to emphasize a harsh reality: despite misconceptions, our shelter is not a "no-kill" facility. This is a fact that weighs heavily on each member of our staff. We do not work here with the intention of euthanizing animals; rather, our goal for every animal in our care is to find it a loving forever home. Since we moved into our new facility on Frosty Ln in 2018, euthanasia for space is not something we have had to do or ever want to do. But achieving this goal is not feasible without the unwavering support of our community.
We understand that frustration may arise due to the limitations imposed by being a county-run facility. There are restrictions on where our animals can be adopted to, and we acknowledge the challenges this may pose for individuals outside our community. Additionally, we are aware of concerns regarding our foster policy. While fostering is a valuable tool, we prioritize placements with individuals who have genuine intentions to adopt, as animals not in the shelter often face reduced visibility and adoption prospects.
Today, we implore you to join us in this crucial moment. This is more than just a call for assistance; it is a plea from the depths of our hearts. We need your help now more than ever before. Lives are at stake, and every action taken can make a difference.
Until further notice, we regret to inform you that we will only be accepting surrenders on an emergency basis. We urge anyone considering surrendering their animal to explore all available alternatives before bringing them to us.
Thank you for taking the time to read this message and for considering how you can contribute to our shared mission of saving lives. Even if you are not in the position to adopt a dog at this time, please share this message so we can get help wherever possible. Together, we can make a difference.
Sincerely,
Stafford County Animal Shelter Staff