Friday, November 6th, 2009

Cages at the Kansas Humane Society are over-crowded with pets, even though the shelter just moved to a bigger building.

The new shelter can hold 600 animals, double the number from its last location. Yet they are still challenged.

From dogs to cats and even rabbits, 18,000 new animals were brought in this year. That's 2,000 more than last year. And next year they expect the number of unwanted animals dropped off at the center to grow to 20,000. They're not exactly sure just why the numbers are rising so fast.

"It's just an incredible challenge for us to try to find homes for everybody and happy endings," said Humane Society Communications Director Jennifer Campbell.

The heartbreaking part of it all is, since the center is at capacity, they have to euthanize animals, even though they are adoptable.

"It's tough and we hate it and none of us like it and we would love to see that part of our job disappear," said Campbell.

One way for people to help is to adopt. That's what P.K Lippoldt is doing,"There's a lot of critters out here who need love and I have a big heart for that."

Another big solution is to spay and neuter. The center is full of kittens and puppies born here after adult animals were brought in pregnant. While they're cute, they take up precious room. Off the adoption floor, in a back room, other animals sit and wait for their chance to get out front and find a good home.

For more information about adoption a pet from the Kansas Humane Society, click here.