Yakima Humane Society beyond capacity, in need of donations

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima Animal Control officers rounded up 21 dogs this week, plus another 22 were seized from a local home on Wednesday.

Now the Humane Society is feeling the strain on resources and space.

KIMA found out how the community can help during this particularly ‘ruff’ summer.

"Even after somebody threw you from a car, she is just not going to give up,” said Outreach Director Nicole Papageourgiou of the Yakima Humane Society.

Papageorgiou holds Joan the chihuahua in her lap, who suffered a broken leg after being tossed from a car. But Joan is in good company with more than 200 furry companions at the Humane Society.

"We want to make sure that any new animals coming in, especially from situations that are not ideal, we want to make sure that they are healthy; they have good nutrition,” said Papageorgiou.

But with only 140 kennels, space is limited. Food and supplies have quickly dwindled too. More than 600 pounds of dog food is used a week, and another 40 pounds for cats. And with a near-empty storage unit, donations are what keep the kibble coming.

"Sometimes animals come to us malnourished,” said Papageorgiou. “Those things can cost and they take resources."

Resources spread thin as animal control drops off more strays, running the streets in mostly northeast Yakima.

"Most of the dogs we've dealt with this week particularly has been regarding a female dog in heat and would have three, four, five male dogs following her around,” said animal control officer Ben Zigan.

It's a problem Zigan said can easily be fixed by having pets spayed or neutered.

"Now that we're keeping a tally in these two certain areas, it's kind of shown where the problems are,” said Zigan.

Animal control has also cited 28 owners in July for leaving pets in hot cars.

However, things are looking up at the shelter. Friday morning someone dropped off toys and potty training pads.

"We were all so very happy,” said Papageorgiou. “Yeah I'm going to cry because it was nice."

With their hands and crates full, the shelter hopes more people will help these animals in need.

"We're asking again for more help; for more support because we want to be able to take care of these babies,” said Papapgeorgiou.

The Humane Society accepts all kinds of donations but they mostly need food and potty training pads. They are also working to open a low-cost spay and neuter clinic by the fall. More information can be found on their website here.