OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Osceola County Animal Control officials said they are receiving an overwhelming number of abandoned or lost animals every day and that many of those animals are being given away by their owners.
The animals being brought in range from household pets, like cats and dogs, to more unusual pets, like potbelly pigs and goats.
Officials said they are taking in more animals than they can handle.
"Our average is anywhere from about 30 to 40 animals a day," said Vicki Dryer of Osceola Animal Control.
On Thursday, one room at Animal Control held 16 cats. All but one of the cats were surrendered by their owners.
Officials said workers have had to euthanize 5 percent of the adoptable pets this month because they don't have room for them.
"We try very hard not to allow that to happen, and we try to use every aspect we can. But there are some that cannot be rehabilitated," said Dryer.
Nearly 70 percent of the pets that come in are given up by their owners.
The problem is compounded when donations of money and supplies to the facility don't keep pace.
Osceola County Animal Control is the only shelter for the entire county.
With the budget stretched thin, the shelter is in need of cleaning supplies like bleach. They said they can also use store gift card donations.
MORE INFORMATION: How to help out, or adopt from, Osceola Animal Control
WFTV
