Angels of Assisi deals with increasing intake numbers - WSLS 10 NBC in Roanoke/Lynchburg Va

Angels of Assisi deals with increasing intake numbers

Meadow just came to Angels of Assisi. She was first taken to the Roanoke Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection but needed medical attention, so she was brought here to angels.  It is a sight seen twice this week by adoption coordinator Chas Bousman.

"Lots of situation like that, where there are minor medical or even major medical issues the dog we pulled from the pound today has a bloat condition and need surgery upon coming over," says Bousman.

However more and more animals are showing up at angels, and less at the pound. Here are the facts according to numbers reported to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by both organizations. Since 2006 intake the pound has dropped by 1077 animals. At angels of Assisi, their intake has gone up 718 animals.

As to why angels is seeing its numbers trending up, director Lisa O'Neill says she keeps hearing the same thing over and over again.

"I think people in the community are becoming more and more aware that the pound is not a no kill facility. There are no adoptions from the pound and no foster programs from the pound and people do care about the pets," says O'Neill.

The increase in animals is financially adding up, and there are only so many cages and rooms to hold the cats and dogs. Extra programs have been added to bring in volunteers, but O'Neill says without the community working together with them space would be near impossible to find.

"It is a big effort. We have around 200 animals in foster care, and before have had up to 300 animals in foster care, and it is just huge community support and people come and help us," says O'Neill.

And help animals find a forever home.

We did contact the pound about this story, but so far have no heard back.

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If you would like to help Angels of Assisi you can visit their website for more information: http://www.angelsofassisi.org/_index.php

For information about the intake rates, they can be found at this website: http://www.vi.virginia.gov/vdacs_ar/cgi-bin/Vdacs_search.cgi

Intake numbers:

Roanoke Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection:

2006 – 7,754

2007 – 7,875

2008 – 7,574

2009 – 7,573

2010 – 7,299

2011 – 6,677

Angels of Assisi:

2006 – 483

2007-551

2008-632

2009-917

2010-973

2011-1,201