ST. PAUL - The St. Paul Animal Shelter is currently at capacity with the number of dogs it has in its care.
With eight dogs currently at the animal shelter, many of those dogs "have been here over a year and the need for intakes has never been greater," says Laura Hoyt, manager at the St. Paul Animal Shelter.
Low funding and slow adoptions are two of the biggest factors that leave many shelters staying at or above capacity lately, says Hoyt.
Why adopt?
"I encourage people to adopt from an animal shelter because you are making a difference in the life of a dog or cat that might otherwise not get a chance at a warm, comfy life - or they might have had a rough start. But by adopting, you can turn their luck around," says Hoyt.
"Besides that reason, it's usually cheaper to adopt an animal from a shelter when you factor in all their vaccines, spay/neuter surgery, microchipping."
The process to adopt a pet from the St. Paul Animal Shelter is to first choose a dog or cat that you are interested in. Peopel can reach out to the shelter by email, phone or social media and fill out an adoption application.
"Once you are approved, you come meet the animal, and if all goes well, take them home," says Hoyt.
Adoption fees for dogs range from $500 for puppies, to $450 for adult dogs, and negotiable for senior dogs over eight years old.
Adoptions fees for cats also range, from $275 for kittens, to $225 for adults cats and negotiable for senior cats.
"All dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are spayed or neutered prior to adoption and come fully vaccinated," according to information from the St. Paul Animal Shelter.
