Increase of animals in shelters, how a local animal lover is opening her home to foster pets

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – With an increase of animals in shelters across the nation and the Gulf Coast, one local animal lover has made it her goal to give as many animals as possible the benefit of a loving home.

“There was just this one kitten that was not doing really well so I took it home,” said Rachel Aune, a foster and board member of the Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter. “I think ever since then, I have always had a foster animal in my house. You just kind of spiral and you just start taking them all home.”

Aune has been rescuing animals for seven years, saving over 70 strays and finding them their forever home.

“Truly, with being a foster, the thing that makes me the happiest through my organization is when people adopt an animal through the organization and send an update,” she said. “Or when you help someone who has too many animals that really just need help with no judgment. You go and you do that, and you really saved their mental health and of course you saved the animals on top of that. That is kind of what gets me the most emotional.”

According to Aune, there are around seven pet foster families with the Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter.

“Every organization is in desperate need of fosters, so it is something to think about and try out,” she said. “You can always just try it once.”

Director of Animal Services at the Mobile Animal Shelter Robert Bryant said they are overflowing with animals, including a few pregnant dogs that will add puppies to the shelter.

“Our current shelter, which was built in the sixties, was designed to hold maybe 60 animals,” Bryant said. “We have redesigned and changed things around so that it can hold about 120. Right now, we currently have between 140 and 150 dogs at any point in time.”

Bryant noted that this increase is due to multiple factors.

“Quite frankly, it is the time of the year,” he said. “During the spring time, we frequently get large amounts of animals that come in, and this is the breeding time for cats and dogs. I know that I cannot say it enough, but the biggest issue is unaltered cats and dogs.”

The overflow of animals in shelters extends to Baldwin County in Pensacola.

Tracey Kinsley, community development and HR director with Panhandle Animal Welfare Society reported that there are currently 390 animals at PAWS. Their facility can only fit 250.

“Shelters being overcrowded is a nationwide epidemic,” Kinsley said. “We specifically need volunteers, fosters and supplies to help us and the animals get through this crisis.”

The Baldwin County Animal Shelter reported that in 2022, there were 1,353 animals in the shelter. That number went up to 1,529 in 2023.

If you are looking to become a foster or even adopt, contact your local shelter to get more information on how you can open up your home to animals in need.

You can also donate to the Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter on their website.

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