Metro Atlanta animal shelters experienced a boom of adoptions during the pandemic as many people spent more time at home and sought out canine companions.
But those numbers have dropped sharply in recent months, and local animal shelters have become pressed for space and resources.
Now that mask mandates are gone, housing is less affordable, and inflation is up, adoptions are at their lowest and returns are higher than ever.
The situation is especially dire for iWag dog shelter in Decatur, which is trying to find homes for about thirty dogs before they’re forced to close their doors next month ahead of relocation.
The Decatur shelter is offering free adoptions and discounted training through August 31.
Kristie Wilder is the Executive Director of iWag and she joined “Morning Edition” to put out the call to action.