SYRACUSE, N.Y.(NCC News) – The Central New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has taken in nearly 700 stray dogs this year, but it’s reaching its capacity. The issue facing the dogs of Syracuse is that there aren’t enough places to take the strays and care for them.
“Shelters, including ours, are at or near capacity,” said Troy Waffner the CEO of CNYSPCA. “A lot of shelters can’t take surrenders. People are going out to back roads, cutting the collars off their dogs, and letting them run. Best case scenario is we find them. Worst case scenario is they get hit by a car, end up in the woods, scared and tired, and eventually they pass on.”
A new solution has opened up and is expected to help. Second Chance in Jamesville is hoping that this resource will help diminish the amount of strays left on the street.
“It’ll certainly help lighten the load and help them balance their load between Second Chance and in our bunk house and get more of the animals in our city off the street,” said Waffner. “Because the last thing you want is these animals running on the streets.”
A number of factors are leading to the growing number of strays.
“I really think a lot of the strays it’s a financial situation and it’s overcrowding in all the kennels,” said Vicki Todero an employee at CNYSPCA. “People just tend to let them go because they can’t find a place to put them.”
Employees at CNYSPCA agree that finances after the pandemic are one of the major reasons so many strays are roaming the streets.
“I think people thought they were going to work at home forever so they got a puppy,” said Waffner. “And then all of a sudden they had to go back to work, and maybe a relative got sick and expenses piled up and the easiest solution was to get rid of their dog. You don’t think of how expensive having a dog can be until you’re forced to choose to feed your family or your dog.”
Although Second Chance is a great addition to reduce the overflow at CNYSPCA and other shelters, it will only last for so long.
“It will certainly help us all out,” said Waffner. “Soon enough they’re going to reach capacity too though and we’ll be in the same boat. I don’t know the long-term solution yet, but we need to find something to help these dogs before it gets too cold.”
If a stray dog is found, CNYSPCA still wants the dogs to be turned over to them even though they don’t have room.
“We can work quickly and try to find a home for the dog or at least provide it shelter, food, and warmth while we find a long term solution,” said Waffner. “Please, if you find a dog we will always help it to the best of our ability. Don’t just leave it there to die, that’s the last thing we want.”
Second Chance in Jamesville is set to open at the end of the month and will alleviate some of the pressure on the current shelters.
