Shelter filled beyond capacity and forced to turn new animals away
A spike in surrendered and abandoned pets has pushed Wollies Animal Shelter beyond capacity, prompting a temporary halt on new intakes to protect animal welfare.
Wollies Animal Shelter has been forced to temporarily close its intake to new dogs and cats after reaching critical levels.
This decision, the organisation mentioned, was made with extremely heavy hearts.
Founder Cilla Trexer confirmed that the shelter is beyond full capacity and can no longer safely accommodate additional animals.
The closure comes amid a surge in abandonments and surrenders, particularly following the festive season, a trend affecting animal welfare organisations across the province and country.
“Please believe us, this is the last thing we ever wanted or want to do, but at this stage, we have no choice.
“Wollies is completely overcrowded, beyond full, and we are unable to take in any dogs or cats at this time.”
Trexer said the decision to turn animals away has been devastating for the team, many of whom are volunteers who work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abandoned pets.
“As sad as this is for you, please believe us when we say it is even harder for us to have to turn an animal away,” she said.
The shelter has appealed to the public not to bring or refer animals to Wollies during this period, urging pet owners and rescuers instead to contact alternative animal welfare organisations.
According to Trexer, the post-holiday period has placed enormous strain on shelters, with many animals abandoned as families return from trips or face financial pressures.
Economic hardship, relocations, and job losses continue to fuel the rise in surrendered pets, while adoption rates struggle to keep pace.
Despite the crisis, Trexer remains hopeful that the situation will be temporary.
“We believe and trust that as most people are now back from holiday and begin reclaiming their animals, we will have space again,” she said.
Wollies has called on the community to support shelters in alternative ways during this period, including adopting rather than buying pets, fostering animals to free up space, donating food and funds, and sterilising pets to prevent unwanted litters.
“This is incredibly heartbreaking for everyone involved. But our priority has to be the welfare of the animals already in our care. We can only provide proper care if we do not exceed our limits.”
The shelter has apologised to those affected by the temporary closure and has asked for patience and understanding, emphasising that the decision was made to protect animal welfare rather than compromise it.
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