Memphis animal shelter enters Code Red | News

Memphis animal shelter enters Code Red | News

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Animal Services (MAS) is overcrowded.

The shelter has issued a Code Red, meaning the facility has too many animals.

Mary Claire Borys, the interim director for MAS, told FOX13 the shelter typically stays overcapacity. But when the number of dogs reaches between 250-280, the situation becomes dire.

“That’s when things start to get really overcrowded,” Borys said. “So, that’s when we start to think about declaring a Code Red.”

The shelter has 200 kennels and can usually manage up to 240 dogs. Overcrowded shelters isn’t just an issue in the Mid-South, but across the country.

“Things have gotten a little backed up in the animal system,” Borys said. “We’re seeing this around the country where things are a little backed up. The shelters are full. The fosters are full. The rescues are full because adoptions nationally are down.”

Rescues are getting overwhelmed with animals, too. Suzy Hollenbach, the Director of All 4s Rescue League, told FOX13 her rescue sees strays all over Memphis.

“You have so many animals that have multiplied,” Hollenbach said. “There’s packs of dogs, females go into heat.”

What is contributing to the problem? Borys told FOX13 it starts with pet owners not spaying or neutering their pets.

“It starts with people not having their pet spayed or neutered, starts with people not putting up fences, making sure they keep the dogs on their property,” said Borys.

Hollenbach said the city needs to get back to animal control.

“We do have to get back to animal control even if that means being humane in euthanizing,” Hollenbach said. “Leaving them to suffer and get killed by car or starvation? We’ve got winter months coming up, that’s cruel and inhumane.”

Borys told FOX13 overcrowding issues can also be contributed to an economic downturn.

“One, people’s money kind of running out at the end of the month, but also people moving or renewing their leases and finding out that the terms are not what they thought they were,” said Borys.

There are a few easy solutions both Borys and Hollenbach said could help the overcrowding issue.

“Make sure they’re spayed or neutered. We do provide assistance with that, make sure they’re microchipped,” said Borys. “We do provide that and make sure that they stay on your property so that they’re not running at large.”

“Spay and neuter is the first priority. It’s the first offense against multiplying,” said Hollenbach. “If families can help a dog or foster a dog out of MAS or before they even enter the shelter, that’s an option and it helps rescue groups, it helps Memphis Animal Services to be able to keep pets out of the shelter and prevent euthanasia.”

While MAS is under a Code Red, urgent pets can be adopted for free. Senior pets can be adopted for $11 while all other pets can be adopted for $20-$40.

The adoption fee includes:

  • Spay/neuter
  • Microchip
  • Vaccinations for rabies (if old enough), distemper, parvo, and bordetella
  • Deworming treatment for hookworms and roundworms
  • Heartworm test (if old enough)
  • Heartworm treatment medications (if heartworm-positive and deemed a good candidate by vet)
  • Collar
  • Leash
  • Customized ID tag

MAS is open 1-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The shelter is located 2350 Appling City Cove and can be reached at 901-636-7297.

MAS is also hosting a Christmas adoption event Dec. 14 called “12 Hours of Christmas,” where the shelter is open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. for adoptions.


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