FRANKLIN COUNTY (WSLS10) - Some dogs and cats at the Franklin County Animal Shelter could soon be euthanized after an influx of animals from the holiday weekend.
Henry, a young beagle, like many other dogs at the Franklin County Animal Shelter and Municipal Pound, is waiting for his owner to bring him home after running away over Fourth of July weekend.
"We get phone calls, emails and Facebook messages about people missing their dogs and finding stray dogs," said Katie Bittinger, an employee at the Franklin County Animal Shelter.
Bittinger said fireworks can easily frighten an animal.
"They have the tendency to run and sometimes they run far and fast," said Jennifer Fleisher, the coordinator at the Franklin County Humane Society.
Now, nearly every crate is in use as those pets ended up at the Franklin County Animal Shelter and Humane Society.
"July 3rd we saw seven dogs and strays come in within 20 minutes," said Fleisher.
The Franklin County Animal Shelter is calling it a dire situation as its kennels are past capacity.
"Normally we house between 15 to 20 dogs," said Bittinger. "I'd say right now, we have about 25. About this time of year we have 30 cats, but now we have closer to 60."
The shelter posted to Facebook asking for help. Management said if owners do not claim their dogs, or in the worst case, if the animals don't get adopted, some risk being euthanized.
"We don't want to tell people that," said Bittinger. "We put it on Facebook because that is an option, but we work so hard to push people to help."
As a result, all adoptions are free. The shelter is also working with Angels of Assisi and the Franklin County Humane Society to hopefully prevent any animals from being euthanized.
Management at the City of Salem Animal Shelter said their facility is also full after receiving many stray dogs and cats over Independence Day weekend.