09/04/2026
We are never going to adopt our way out of the animal crisis.
After nearly 15 years in animal welfare, one thing has become painfully clear to me: our local shelters cannot fix this crisis by themselves.
Their job is to manage the overwhelming number of animals our communities continue sending through their doors. They are treating the symptoms of a much larger problem—and then we blame them when the kennels are full.
If we truly want things to change, the work has to begin long before an animal reaches the shelter.
We have to spay and neuter our pets. We have to educate people about responsible ownership. We have to help struggling families keep the animals they love. We have to support animal control, strengthen enforcement and hold irresponsible owners accountable.
Most importantly, we have to stop standing on the sidelines and expecting shelter employees and volunteers to carry this entire crisis on their shoulders.
The shelter is where we manage the crisis.
The community is where we change it.
Every one of us has a role to play. 🐾
