Overcrowding in Oakland animal shelter reaches crisis level
OAKLAND (CBS SF/BCN) – Overcrowding at its shelter prompted Oakland Animal Services to hold a special adoption event starting Thursday where fees are waived for adoptions.
Besides the normal adoption fee of $150 being waived, the shelter's hours will be extended and staff will be on hand to expedite the adoption process. Oakland Animal Services is seeking to place 50 big dogs in homes during the adoption event, according to Ann Dunn, director of Oakland Animal Services.
The shelter will be open on Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and Friday through Monday from noon to 5 p.m. It is located at 1109 29th Ave. in Oakland.
"The changes we have made in the last three years, as well as the tremendous community support that we have received, has made it possible to achieve the lowest euthanasia rate for dogs in OAS's history in 2022. We're asking for people to step up in a big way to help our dogs now," Dunn said.
Dunn said the city has seen a dramatic increase in dogs being put up for adoption, with 555 more dogs taken in in 2022 compared to 2021. She said the current spike is being driven by an increase in December, which saw 289 dogs enter the shelter, compared with the recent monthly average of 234.
The shelter has 73 kennels for big dogs, which can be divided into two during an emergency. The shelter currently has 98 big dogs which are considered those over 25 pounds.
Huskies, German Shepherds, Malinois, pit bulls and other breeds are available, Dunn said. She said staff would be focusing on matchmaking during the event to help pair adopters with the perfect companion.
Dunn said that Oakland Animal Services has not had to euthanize a dog for space since 2019 but called the need to place 50 dogs in homes by Monday urgent. She said staff was making a nine-point criteria for ranking each dog to assess which would be euthanized if the event fails to place enough dogs.
Fostering a dog for a temporary period can help alleviate the overcrowding if adoption isn't an option, Dunn said. She said food, crates, leashes and more support is available for the foster program.
"We welcome people from anywhere and we hope people from outside Oakland will come," Dunn said.
