BY BRITTNEE NAVE

STAR CORRESPONDENT

An increase in stray dogs has been reported at the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter over the last few days.

Shannon Posada, director of the shelter, says the increase is partly due to the puppy population.

“We have taken in many stray dogs lately, from people finding them roaming around to puppies by the litter,” she said. “There’s an increase in dogs and puppies here lately.”

Posada believes the increase in puppies could include things like being put outside and getting loose.

The increase in dogs impacts the shelter in limited space. Staff has had to double up on kennels, making some dogs have a smaller space.

“We’re a limited space, but we never ever turn down cases of emergencies, or puppies, especially ones without mothers or out roaming around, or nursing mothers and litters, just as with kittens,” Posada said. “If we have to, we will put them in crates in the hallway.”

In addition to the current increase in the dog population, recent flooding did add to the limited space issues temporarily.

One case was a mother dog and puppies trapped under a building during flooding. Staff at the shelter got out in the waters to save the mother and puppies from drowning.

Other cases of animals at the shelter during flooding were from people who had to leave their homes due to the weather and needed help.

“A lot of people don’t think when they are putting dog houses out in the summer about the flooding issues,” she said. “Of course when it comes you realize you have a bigger issue and you don’t have a lot of time.”

Staff from the shelter aided owners in relocating dog houses to higher ground and educating on the idea of keeping dogs safe during such weather.

“It was good that we got everyone out safe,” she said. “There were no fatalities of humans or animals. We want people to know they can reach out to us. It’s not like we shut down when we close. Our staff is always on standby.”

Most animals affected from the flooding were returned back to their owners after the flooding ceased.

Additional animals at the shelter besides strays are also those in cruelty cases. One such case involves eight dogs that have been held since September pending a court hearing.

In an effort to aid in the increasing population, people have stepped forward to help foster until forever homes are found.

For more information on the shelter to aid or adopt, you can call at 423-547-6359 or send a message on their Facebook page.

“Spay and neuter, we can’t preach that enough,” Posada said. “If you have questions call the shelter. We will point you in the right direction.”