Fort Worth Animal Shelter May Mass Euthanize

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – Fort Worth Animal Control could be days away from the largest mass euthanization in its history if it doesn't find homes for hundreds of animals.

"The need for adoption or rescue is immediate," says Scott Hanlan, an Assistant Code Compliance Director with the City of Fort Worth.

Just last week, animal control officers picked up 600 dogs and cats.

The animals were taken to the Chuck Silcox Animal Shelter where they can only hold 400 animals.

The shelter works hard to get the animals ready for adoption, but they're running out of space, thus putting all the animals at risk.

"Last week alone we had right at 600 animals come to our shelter which is significantly higher than usual for this time of year," said Hanlan.

Shawn Jordan works with the dogs and cats every day.

She knows all their stories, "Gizmo is an owner surrender," she says pointing to the Border Collie. "The others are strays."

Hanlan hopes a few hundred of the animals will be adopted by the end of the week. But if not, he says, "If we don't have a sufficient number of folks who are willing and capable to take them out of the shelter…. we have to euthanize  –– humanely euthanize –– some of these animals."

Amber Chamberlain stopped by the shelter Monday afternoon to help with the overcrowding problem.

Her family picked up a Chihuahua to take home.

"It's hard to hear so many animals need homes," said Chamberlain. "I don't like that I don't feel like people they should just get them and then throw them on the street because they are like humans."

The city is looking into expanding the shelter but need donations. Fort Worth is also running a half price adoption special which includes all vaccinations.

The Fort Worth Shelter has also reached out to other adoption agencies for help.

For more information on how to adopt one of the animals at the Fort Worth shelter, click here.