Cincinnati Animal CARE was operating without available kennel space after receiving 112 dogs in seven days, including 38 seized in animal-welfare investigations, the shelter told WCPO in a Nov. 5 report.
Twenty-four of the seized dogs came from two Hamilton County properties in the preceding two days: 14 large shepherd-type dogs from one location and 10 dogs of different sizes from another, according to the shelter’s account.
The dogs on investigation holds cannot be adopted until their legal status is resolved. Other animals already cleared for adoption can still leave through adoption or approved foster placements, helping free space.
Investigations add to the crowding
The shelter told WCPO the county dog warden had handled seven cases involving at least six dogs at a single property over the previous three months. An August seizure involving more than 150 animals was its largest to date.
Cincinnati Animal CARE operates Hamilton County’s only open-intake animal shelter. Chief Dog Warden and Chief Operating Officer Meaghan Colville told WCPO that neighborhood welfare cases help explain the crowding residents see at the shelter.
Ways residents can help
The shelter is asking for foster families, adopters and volunteers. Its foster program offers several levels of commitment:
- Short-term care for two weeks or less.
- Longer placements of two weeks or more, typically until adoption or another foster arrangement.
- Day trips that give a shelter dog a break for a few hours.
- Foster-to-adopt trials lasting up to seven days.
The shelter says medium and large dogs particularly need foster homes. Staff match animals with prospective households, including those with existing pets or children. Investigation holds mean not every dog discussed in the seizure report is available for adoption.
Residents unable to volunteer on site can help through the shelter’s at-home volunteer options, such as making enrichment items or organizing a donation drive. The program page links to current supply wishlists.
