ROGERS, Ark. — In just over a week, Benton County shelters have rescued over 80 different dogs, with the NWA Humane Society (NWAHS) in Rogers taking in 40 of those— almost triple the usual amount. And Executive Director of NWAHS Clayton Morgan says shelters are at maximum capacity nationwide.
"There are 10,000 People born in the United States every day, and 70,000 dogs. For every one of those dogs to have a home, every person would have to have seven dogs," says Morgan.
The Humane Society says they’re one of the last nonprofit shelters in the area and are sheltering abandoned dogs from all around the county.
Morgan says dogs over 50 pounds make up about 90% of the animals in the shelter here, as smaller dogs tend to get adopted faster.
"They get a big dog, but then the next apartment [requires dogs to be] 30 pounds or under ... Everybody wants to live in a brand-new, shiny, beautiful upscale apartment, but some of those come with restrictions," says Morgan.
Morgan says dogs are 15-year commitments, and encourages those who considering adoption to think long and hard before doing so, to avoid shelters reclaiming dogs.
The Humane Society is actively combating the issue by creating a transport hub to benefit all shelters in northwest Arkansas.
Still, Morgan encourages everyone to get their furry friends spayed and neutered to help control the issue.
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