If you're the type of person who can't resist giving four-legged friends a home, now is the time to make a little extra room.
Terry Key-Hooson, director of Newton County Animal Control, said all cages at the shelter on Lower River Road are occupied.
Key-Hooson said the shelter has 18 cages for dogs, 26 cages for cats and 16 quarantine cages.
"Typically during any given week during the summertime those cages will become full," Key-Hooson said.
Since more people go on vacation during the warmer months, not as many people come in to adopt, according to Key-Hooson. She added that during the summer more people are at home to see, report or catch stray animals.
She explained that although someone may come in and see an empty cage or two, she knows with the number of people who bring in stray animals everyday that by closing time they will be full again.
Some cages have more than one animal in them, meaning the shelter is housing more than 100 animals.
Because of the full occupancy, Key-Hooson said the shelter is not accepting new strays at the moment.
Animals brought to the shelter are typically held for three working days to see if anyone claims them. After three days an animal is eligible for adoption, or in Newton County, euthanasia.
Animal Control employees have already put down many animals this summer.
Key-Hooson said it is extremely easy to give these animals a home. Puppies and dogs cost $25 to adopt and cats and kittens cost $10.
Individuals adopting must also sign an agreement to have the animal taken to a participating veterinarian for a free check-up within three business days of its adoption. If the animal is found to have a terminal or contagious illness, then individuals can bring a veterinarian note back to the shelter for a refund or exchange.
People adopting must also sign an agreement stating they will have their pets spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies as soon as a veterinarian deems necessary.
Key-Hooson said usually animals are euthanized only if all cages are full and based on how long an animal has been there, but sometimes an animal's personality will spare it for a while.
"I will put an extremely mean dog down before I will put down a very friendly dog that has been here longer," Key-Hooson said.
The shelter currently has more cats and kittens than dogs and puppies.
For more information about adopting animals, call Newton County Animal Control at (770) 786-9514.
