It’s raining dogs. Travel crates and foster homes needed as Stanislaus shelter overflows

Who let the dogs out? Officials say it was the storm.

The Stanislaus Animal Services Agency currently has 237 dogs in a facility that can only hold 180, Executive Director Vaughn R. Maurice said in an email Wednesday. The shelter has found relief from other shelters in California as well as Incline Village, Nevada, and as far as Idaho.

Maurice said volunteers are going to drive the dogs to shelters that are willing to help lighten the load, but Stanislaus County does not have enough crates to safely transport the dogs.

In a Facebook post, the shelter asked for people to bring functional, large dog crates to 3647 Cornucopia Way in Modesto. Maurice says other sizes are welcome, but the shelter needs at least 50 large ones.

“We have dogs doubling up in small kennels and dogs waiting outside due to lack of space,” Maurice wrote. He said the storm is the reason so many dogs are ending up in the shelter.

People have been calling to notify the shelter to pick up stray dogs, and animal control officers find even more while they’re out. People also are dropping off at the shelter strays they find, Maurice said.

“In bad weather, animals tend to get loose,” he said in a phone interview. “And it’s not exactly the time to adopt as people are in panic situations because of the storm.”

Another way to help the shelter and these dogs is by temporarily fostering. You can walk in or call the shelter to learn more.

The Cornucopia location is closed Sundays. Its operating hours are Mondays, 10 a.m to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 to 6 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m.

If you are interested in helping these dogs get out of the shelter until they are adopted, the shelter has introduction rooms.

“Most of our foster families have other animals at home, so we encourage them to bring their other pets in to meet the dogs and make sure they’re compatible,” Maurice said.

You can reach the animal shelter by calling 209-558-7387 for more information on how to help.

This story was originally published January 12, 2023 at 5:00 AM.

Vivienne Aguilar

The Modesto Bee

Vivienne Aguilar is a breaking news reporter. She is a graduate of California State University, Monterey Bay. She previously worked at Stocktonia News Service and was editor in chief for the Delta Collegian.