10/22/2026
People always ask us, “How’s it going in the shelter world?”
And people are often shocked by the answer.
We understand that not everyone is involved in animal welfare. Not everyone volunteers at a shelter or sees firsthand what is happening behind the scenes. And we know that if you aren’t part of this world, it can be hard to understand just how bad things have gotten.
But what people NEED to know is this:
The animal welfare world is in crisis. And honestly, if there’s a word beyond crisis, that’s where we are.
There is an entire binder dedicated to owner surrenders. An entire binder of people asking to drop their dogs off.
And when shelters cannot take those animals in immediately because they simply have no space, too many of those animals end up being dumped or abandoned.
We’re talking about small dogs, senior dogs, big dogs, and everything in between. No size, age, or breed is immune to this crisis.
Yes, most shelters are open and accepting animals. But you cannot take in what you have no room for. And bringing in more animals without having the space or resources to care for them creates an even bigger problem.
So where does that leave us?
With dogs running stray, abandoned and left to fend for themselves.
And when shelters are already full, making room for those dogs can mean euthanizing dogs who are already on the adoption floor. Sometimes, those are the dogs who have been waiting the longest. The dogs with medical needs. The dogs who are already the hardest to place.
Let that sink in.
We are caught in a vicious cycle, and those of us working and volunteering within the sheltering and rescue communities know exactly what that feels like.
We rescue. We foster. We advocate. We volunteer. We show up. We fight for these animals every single day.
And yet, somehow, we keep finding ourselves right back where we started.
We are doing EVERYTHING we can to help dogs and cats make it out of the shelter and into loving homes. But we cannot do it alone.
If you have been thinking about adopting or fostering, NOW is the time.
This Sunday, Sangamon County Animal Control is hosting a BIG adoption event from 1:00–3:30 p.m.
And we want you to understand what makes an event like this possible.
❤️ VOLUNTEERS are giving their time to walk dogs, spend time with them, and talk to anyone willing to stop and listen about the dogs who desperately need a chance.
❤️ STAFF are giving up their day off to show up for these animals. To talk to potential adopters and fosters. To share each dog's story. To answer questions. To do whatever they can to help these dogs find homes.
These people are showing up because they care. Because they know these dogs deserve a chance. Because they refuse to stop fighting for them.
But now, we need YOU.
We need our community to show up.
We need people to come meet these dogs, ask questions, share their stories, and consider opening their homes.
Maybe you can adopt. Maybe you can foster. Maybe you know someone who is looking for a dog. Maybe you can simply share this post so it reaches the person who needs to see it.
Whatever you can do, please do something.
Because behind every kennel door is a life that matters. A dog who deserves more than a concrete floor and a wait that never seems to end.
We cannot rescue our way out of this crisis without the community standing beside us.
Please show up this Sunday. Please share this post. Please help us give these dogs a chance.
They need us. And right now, we need you.
❤️🐾
The event will be this Sunday, October 25th
1pm-3:30pm
2100 Shale St
Springfield, Illinois
