EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso Animal Services is caring for about 1,000 animals on any given day, and officials say the shelter is already packed as summer brings an influx of pets.<\/p>\n
Public Affairs Coordinator Julieanne Newbold said the summer months typically bring higher intake numbers. \u201cDuring the summertime is when we see a higher number of pets coming in. This past week, we got around 600 pets coming in for shelter,\u201d Newbold said.<\/p>\n
Inside the shelter, dogs are filling the usual intake room and an overflow room. In what is normally a drive-in area for animal protection officers to unload pets, temporary kennels are now filling the garage.<\/p>\n
Jordan Salas reports on El Paso Animal Services packed after nearly 600 pets arrive in one week (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: El Paso County to offer up to 75 free microchips at each ‘Parks After Sunset’ event<\/a><\/p>\n Newbold said summer is already busy due to travel, gates or doors being left open, and pets getting loose. But she said not every animal has to end up at the shelter.<\/p>\n \u201cMost lost pets don’t wander far from their home,\u201d Newbold said. \u201cThe biggest thing is, if you find a pet, try to help them get back home and the first thing you can do is file a report on our website, and then going around the neighborhood to see if anybody recognizes that pet.\u201d<\/p>\n For pet owners who are missing an animal, Newbold said, \u201cThe first thing you should do is file a lost pet report on our website,\u201d and \u201cthen also, of course, visiting our main shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n Newbold said animals that come in are scanned for a microchip and checked for tags. If no owner comes forward after the required holding period of three to six days, the animals can be made available for adoption or foster.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: Border Patrol certifies El Paso rescue dog Chloe as first Critical Incident Response K9<\/a><\/p>\n Animal Services is also asking people to consider fostering<\/a>, saying even a temporary home can open up space at the shelter and help staff learn what a pet is like in a home. \u201cIn the shelter environment we can’t see the true personalities of these pets,\u201d Newbold said. \u201cIn a home is where their personalities really blossom.\u201d She added, \u201cWe really need the community support in helping us by fostering and by securing their own pets. That way they don’t have to ever enter the shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n With the Fourth of July approaching \u2014 a time Animal Services says it sees more stray pets come in \u2014 owners are being asked to make sure their animals are microchipped and that their contact information is up to date.<\/p>\n Pet owners can file lost or found pet reports and find more resources through El Paso Animal Services online<\/a>.<\/p>\n