LOCAL NEWS

Animal shelters struggle against overflow of abandoned pets

Jun 22, 2022, 10:36 PM | Updated: Jun 23, 2022, 10:01 am

SALT LAKE CITY — The summer months are always busy for animal shelters, but for some reason, this year is especially bad.

Some shelters, like Weber County, can’t take in any more dogs. They need volunteers, food, and adoptions, and they need it right away.

“It’s just been absolutely insane how busy we are. We’ve never really been this busy,” said Amparo Gutierrez, assistant director of Weber County Animal Shelter.

She said that only seven of their 17 positions are filled.

Amparo Gutierrez takes care of animals at the Weber County Shelter.

“We try to budget like a certain amount of kennels per employee,” Gutierrez explained. “Especially right now where we don’t have the help to clean, so it’s just us doing everything ourselves.”

The shelter had to get creative, like cutting business hours and even adopting out cats for free for a while.

“All of our adoptable cats that we had at the time were all sick,” Gutierrez said.

All the cats had to be sent with medicine, something that the shelter never did.

One of the adoptable cats at the Weber County Shelter.

Gutierrez said they need volunteers to help clean, donations of food and supplies, and patience from potential adopters.

The South Salt Lake Animal Services is also experiencing staffing and sheltering issues.

“We have four people total that run this shelter, with right now we have 22 dogs and 18 cats,” said Jenica Laws of the South Salt Lake Animal Services. 

However, some animals are getting ready to go to their forever home.

Laws and Little Malin at South Salt Lake Animal Services.

The puppy who was thrown out the window in May, little Malin, is getting ready for adoption.

“We found her forever home, and she will be going home in two weeks,” Laws said.  “She is our little strong warrior.”

If you are 18 and older and wish to volunteer, Gutierrez says that the Weber County Shelter will gladly put you at work. 

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Matt Gephardt working with Bona Rose on the CarChex documents....

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

Get Gephardt: West Valley woman says her extended car warranty claim was denied unfairly

Many drivers buy an extended auto warranty to cover unexpected repair bills. But when a West Valley City woman turned to her warranty provider for major help on her car's transmission, they turned her down - repeatedly.

10 hours ago

Moments before a Salt Lake City woman is hit by a white car in the Avenues....

Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio, Garna Mejia and Michael Houck, KSL TV

Doorbell camera captures another hit-and-run in Salt Lake City

New doorbell camera shows bystanders rushing to save a woman who may be another victim of an alleged serial hit-and-runner.

10 hours ago

A view of the West Temple and 200 South intersection in Salt Lake City....

Michael Houck

A major downtown Salt Lake City intersection will close from April to May

Starting April 1, the West Temple and 200 South intersection will be closed as crews replace natural gas lines.

12 hours ago

Researchers gathered in a Weber State University room for a Air Quality Summit....

Mike Anderson

Air Quality Summit puts focus on Utah air pollution and solutions

Many of the researchers who study Utah's air pollution problems are sharing what they've found while working to find solutions during Thursday's Air Quality Summit.

13 hours ago

Keith Stebbings (right) confronting Loren Richardson (left) after Richardson allegedly entered his ...

Shelby Lofton

‘He wasn’t intending to hurt anybody’: Brighton homeowner attorney says snowboarder confrontation was a misunderstanding

The Brighton man armed with a gun while confronting a snowboarder in a viral video is now facing criminal charges. But his attorney says he had the right to protect his property.

14 hours ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Eliza Pace

VIDEO: Watch the moment a UHP trooper stops a 12-year-old driving on the freeway

Utah Highway Patrol responded to a call of a reckless driver. They didn't know until after they stopped the car that it was a 12-year-old driver.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Animal shelters struggle against overflow of abandoned pets