Oakland's city animal shelter has more large dogs than it has room for. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, its adoptable-dogs page said: "we have 83 big dogs in the shelter. Our shelter capacity is 73 kennels, and we should always have several kennels open for incoming dogs, so we are currently OVER CAPACITY."
A month-long crunch
The squeeze isn't new. Early this month, News for Chinese reported that the shelter had hit capacity at 72 large dogs, with more coming in every day. Shelter director Joe DeVries told the paper the shelter was overwhelmed with shepherds and huskies, including two litters of puppies. He said every big dog that leaves frees up space for another one coming in.
How to adopt
Oakland Animal Services is at 1101 29th Avenue. Its website lists open adoption hours of noon to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 3 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 3 p.m. Sundays. No appointment is needed. Dogs marked as living in a foster home usually aren't at the shelter, and adopting one starts with a questionnaire. Veterans can get perks through the Pets for Patriots program, including waived adoption fees. News for Chinese reported that all adoptable animals are vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped.
Can't adopt?
The shelter also takes foster volunteers and keeps an "urgent help" list of dogs that need adoption or transfer to a rescue partner.