Placer County Animal Shelter Nears Full Capacity, Discounts Adoption Fees

AUBURN (CBS13) — Placer County's animal shelter in Auburn is close to full capacity and is attempting to lure in prospective adoptees by discounting the adoption fee.

The adoption center says that their dog kennels are close to 90 percent of capacity, and some of the dogs have already been at the shelter for more than 30 days.

"The biggest impact of being overcrowded at the shelter is it becomes incredibly stressful for the animals and that can lead to behavioral and medical problems where disease can spread quickly," said Katie Ingram, with the shelter.

In an effort to lower the number of animals they have, Placer County Animal Shelter is offering $10 discounted adoption fees on all dogs and cats through May 14.

Volunteers and staff have been working overtime to make sure every dog gets plenty of playtime.

Shelter representatives urge anyone who finds a stray dog to try and find the owner before taking it to the center.

"If they could hang onto it for 48 hours, talk to people in the neighborhood, post on Nextdoor, PawBoost, see if they can reunite that lost pet with their owner," Ingram said.

Ingram said that 48-hour rule could actually save a pet's life.

"An animal that stays in the neighborhood has an 85% chance of going home compared to if they come to the shelter it's about 25%," she said. "So much better to stay in the community and much better to help us as well."