Local animal rescues in need as capacity fills
With the typical “summer slump” and declining adoption rates since the end of the pandemic, animal rescues are in need of adopters, volunteers and fosters.
The Washington Area Humane Society currently has 110 animals at its shelter currently, and 28 animals in foster care.
Executive Director Kelly Proudfit said there have been an “exorbitant number” of calls for animals in crisis as of late.
“In June, we had calls for 253 cats that needed surrendered and 80 dogs. I would say the need is great. There are tons of evictions going on right now. I think we’ve already had four calls this week from landlords evicting tenants who have left pets behind,” Proudfit said at the end of July.
With 100 holding kennels, the humane society isn’t able to take in more animals. Their animals have also been slow to leave. Proudfit said it is typical that adoptions dip during the summer months, but the organization has also seen a significant downturn in interest since the pandemic.
According to Proudfit, from January to July 2021, there were 900 adoption applications. So far this year, there have been 432.
“People are back to work, people are vacationing,” Proudfit said.
At Fayette Friends of Animals in Uniontown, Luke Szymanski says they have been able to turn around declining adoption numbers in the past year.
Szymanski is the organization’s director of operations. He said that last year through the month of July, there were 190 adoptions. In 2025, there have been 296 adoptions in that same time frame.
He agreed that adoptions declined in the summer, but so far they have still improved over last year. In June, 32 animals were adopted, compared to 18 in 2024.
“We’ve made a lot of changes to make things more efficient,” Szymanski said.
However, even with the improved numbers, it is still a struggle to help all of the animals in need.
Like the humane society in Washington, Fayette Friends of Animals is also full, with 69 animals at their facility and another 15 in foster care.
“At the same time, we’ve increased our adoption rate 50% but we’re still unable to meet our needs in the county,” Szymanski said.
Fayette Friends of Animals still consistently has to tell people they cannot take in more animals.
“If we don’t have a spot, or if we’re not the best place for them, we always direct them to our resource page on our website,” Szymanski said.
Pet Search, an all foster-based rescue in Washington, also has issues managing the requests for help they receive.
Co-founder Sherry Knight described an influx of applications to foster animals during the pandemic.
“When things opened up, the fostering situation somewhat diminished,” Knight said.
Pet Search has more than 40 homes fostering animals, with 75 dogs in foster care and more than 90 cats.
According to Knight, it has been difficult for them to compete with social media, where people find animals without having to pay adoption fees.
Knight said Pet Search often has people attempt to surrender animals obtained through social media after they learn those giving away the pet “have not been honest with them” about significant behavioral issues.
“They call us and say, ‘This dog just killed our cat, it attacked my dog and it bit my child.’ There is no way they can return that animal,” Knight said. “That doesn’t free us up to be able to bring in more animals. If we don’t have them being adopted, there is no place to put more animals.”
Like Proudfit and Szymanski, Knight also described diminished interest in adopting this time of year.
“During summer, adoptions slow down. People are vacationing, getting kids ready for college. You just don’t adopt until you come back. From mid-June through pretty much mid-August, adoptions do slow down,” Knight said.
Pet Search is always looking to recruit new foster families. Knight said there are various incentives for those who are interested but worried about the cost.
“Our foster homes have no expenses. We cover everything,” Knight said.
According to Knight, Pet Search will provide for the medical and food needs of the animal, as well as cat litter, toys, treats, crates, gates and beds.
“They will have an experienced volunteer that will be available to them for concerns,” Knight said.
Proudfit and Szymanski, too, said they need more foster families.
At Fayette Friends of Animals, Szymanski suggested starting as a volunteer.
“The best way would be to sign up as a volunteer first. That way we can go over the handbook, how the organization is structured. From there it is easier to get into fostering,” Szymanski said.
Knight noted that all animal shelters and rescues are facing similar issues when it comes to adoptions and volunteers.
“We’re all in that ocean, in that lifeboat, trying to bail ourselves out with a spoon,” Knight said.