Influx of Animals Puts Strain on Shelter Resources - The Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center is practically bursting at the seams with adoptable animals. In July, the center set a monthly record for intakes with 1,113, and now the kennel space is completely full.

"This is our busiest time of the year," said Stephanie Sikorski, Humane Educator with Animal Services. "We're getting more animals in than our facility and resources can accommodate. Now more than ever we need donations and assistance from our volunteers and area residents."

Animal Services is asking the community for help with reducing the number of pets housed at the Animal Service Center and with providing assistance to those already in their care. Foster parents and donations are needed to help sustain the furry, feathered and scaled residents until they can be adopted.

Foster parents take animals into their homes for a short time to free up kennel space and work toward finding an adopter or until the pet is old enough or healthy enough to be adoptable. To become a foster parent, you must complete an application, which is available online at Talgov.com or can be picked up in person at the Animal Service Center, 1125 Easterwood Drive near the entrance to Tom Brown Park.

Some items from the Wish List include canned or dry pet food, dog treats, rolls of paper towels, laundry baskets, new or used bath towels, clay cat litter, bleach, pet shampoo, pet collars and leashes (new or used) and other items that help keep the animals well-fed, clean and comfortable.

Animal intakes at the shelter continue to increase by an average of four to six percent annually. Citizens can help curb this trend by exhausting all other resources before surrendering an animal, micro chipping pets for easy identification if lost ($16 at TLCASC) and having their pet spayed/neutered. If a pet owner needs help getting his/her pet spayed or neutered, there are several local groups that can provide assistance. TLCASC can help pet owners with contacting these groups and often has a limited number of their vouchers on hand for free or reduced cost spay or neuter procedures.

TLCASC is operated and maintained by the City's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Photos and descriptions of adoptable animals, Wish List items and additional information regarding how you can help can be found at Talgov.com.