Number of surrendered dogs falls to 5-year low
Not since 2017 has the Stafford County Animal Shelter seen so few dogs surrendered by their owners.
The shelter reports taking in 129 dogs during the first six months of 2021, a total of 33 fewer animals than the previous year at the height of the pandemic.
A total of 300 dogs were surrendered to the shelter during the first six months of 2017. during the first six months of 2018 and 2019, the numbers were 231 and 172, respectively.
“The decrease has been substantial,” said Stafford County Animal Control Capt. Mike Null.
He praised the public and his shelter staff for getting out the word on the importance of having pets spayed and neutered. Animals adopted from the facility must be spayed or neutered, and the county works with area veterinarians to provide the service at a discount, said Null.