The Troy Animal Shelter is nearing capacity but that’s not unusual for this time of year, said Troy Police Chief Randall Barr.

“Just why it is that we seem to have an influx of dogs during the summer months, we don’t really know,” Barr said. “But whatever the reason it happens and we appreciate the dedicated efforts of those with the Troy Animal Rescue Project (TARP) and Precious Paw to find foster homes and permanent homes for the dogs that no one comes to claim.”

Volunteers with TARP had issued a community wide appeal for foster homes for animals earlier this week, due to the census at the shelter.

As of Friday afternoon, three of the kennels at Troy Animal Shelter were open. Eleven of the dogs impounded were large animals with only one puppy among them.

Captain Wayne Floyd, Troy Special Operations Unit, said by city ordinance, any dog that is impounded at the Troy facility must be held for seven days unless there is a signed release giving permission for the dog to be fostered or adopted.

“The seven-day requirement gives ample time for owners to come and claim their dogs,” Floyd said.

In times past, those who wished to adopt a dog that had been impounded could contact the Troy Police Department to make arrangements. However, contacts now are usually made through either TARP or Precious Paws.

“These two organizations get the word out rather quickly about dogs that may be fostered or adopted,” Floyd said. “They do an outstanding job of letting people know which dogs are available by posting photos on their Facebook pages. They have a large network for finding homes for these animals and the work they do is greatly appreciated.”

Floyd said dogs that would be difficult to place for different reasons and might otherwise be euthanized are usually found homes through TARP and Precious Paws.

“They do a tremendous amount of leg work in saving these animals,” he said. “Through their network, they have funding to provide medical service and care for sick animals. They are of great service to the community and we do appreciate them.”

Floyd said when the new Pike Animal Shelter is completed, Troy and Pike County will have a state-of-the-arts facility in which to shelter animals that have been abandoned, neglected or abused.

Contact Precious Paws at thelove4paws@gmail.com and Troy Animal Rescue Project at troyanimalrescueproject.org/ for information about impounded dogs that are available to those who would like to foster an animal or adopt or visit their Facebook pages.