GREENSBORO, N.C. -
Cats and dogs are literally taking over staff offices at the Guilford County Animal Shelter.
An influx of about 100 animals per day has caused shelter officials to convert employee offices into kennels to handle the overflow. A modular office building is being readied to house the displaced staff.
"We're just getting so many in, and (there's) nowhere to put them," said Donna West, the facility's intake manager.
West gladly gave up her office, which now holds up to 30 cats. Four other offices and a storage room have also been converted, adding space for about 80 animals.
"Now that we have the space, we're going to need the equipment, more cages, more staff to clean those rooms, so it's going to be a challenge," said Marsha Williams, the shelter's director.
The overflowing shelter currently holds about a thousand pets, 600 more than last year and a sign of the difficult choices some families are having to make.
"A lot of people are losing their jobs and they don't know how they're going to feed themselves, so they want to make sure their animals are cared for," said West.
In addition to making room for more animals, the Guilford County Animal Shelter is also encouraging adoptions and asking people to apply for their Food for Paws program before they give up a pet.
"We don't want people to have to surrender their animals because of the economy, and we turn around and euthanize them. That wouldn't be fair to that person or animal," said Williams.
To help pay for the modular offices, which should be ready in a couple of weeks, shelter staff are holding a yard sale this weekend at 5300 Wayne Rd. in Greensboro.
An influx of about 100 animals per day has caused shelter officials to convert employee offices into kennels to handle the overflow. A modular office building is being readied to house the displaced staff.
"We're just getting so many in, and (there's) nowhere to put them," said Donna West, the facility's intake manager.
West gladly gave up her office, which now holds up to 30 cats. Four other offices and a storage room have also been converted, adding space for about 80 animals.
"Now that we have the space, we're going to need the equipment, more cages, more staff to clean those rooms, so it's going to be a challenge," said Marsha Williams, the shelter's director.
The overflowing shelter currently holds about a thousand pets, 600 more than last year and a sign of the difficult choices some families are having to make.
"A lot of people are losing their jobs and they don't know how they're going to feed themselves, so they want to make sure their animals are cared for," said West.
In addition to making room for more animals, the Guilford County Animal Shelter is also encouraging adoptions and asking people to apply for their Food for Paws program before they give up a pet.
"We don't want people to have to surrender their animals because of the economy, and we turn around and euthanize them. That wouldn't be fair to that person or animal," said Williams.
To help pay for the modular offices, which should be ready in a couple of weeks, shelter staff are holding a yard sale this weekend at 5300 Wayne Rd. in Greensboro.
