The Sarnia and District Humane Society is "overwhelmed" with animals.
Executive Director Donna Pyette said the shelter is at capacity and their foster families are over capacity as well.
"Some have multiple litters they're taking care of for us as we're out of space here, due to so many surrenders of dogs and cats," said Pyette.
"We can hold probably 120 cats, more if there are litters, and right now we have probably 100 kittens alone in the shelter, and we probably have just as many out in foster [care]. For dogs, I believe it's about 35 and we do have quite a few out in foster as well. I would say we have upwards of about 15 to 20 out in foster [care] right now."
As a result, Pyette said they've stopped accepting surrendered animals, which includes feral or trapped cats.
"If you're needing to surrender your dog or cat, you do have to call the shelter and be put on a waiting list. That waiting list right now is approximately 100 animals long. If you're needing to surrender, you're not going to get in here within the next few days, it may take a few weeks."
Pyette said they've determined two main reasons for the influx of animals.
"One of the biggest ones is COVID. They don't have time for the animal anymore now that they've gotten back to their normal routines and their busy lives. That dog or cat just doesn't seem to fit into their lifestyles anymore."
She said a lot of the surrendered dogs are unsocialized because of the pandemic.
"It puts a few barriers up to us. Some can't go up for adoption right away. They need time for us to assess them, they need time for us to work with them, to make them available for adoption."
Pyette said the other reason is financial.
"With the skyrocketing costs of food, gas, rent, and housing, it's just an affordability issue. Do I feed my children or do I feed the dog? Do I take my dog to the vet or do I pay my utilities and my rent?"
She said it's sad to see families having to make those decisions.
"We're having wellness clinics to try and help people with the affordability of vaccinations. We're trying to put things into place to help people, but we understand that times are tough, unfortunately, and it doesn't look like things are going to turn around any time soon. We're definitely in a recession and we're definitely feeling it here at the shelter."
Pyette urges anyone interested in adopting or fostering dogs and cats to give them a call or send in an application.
The humane society is also seeking donations of kitten, cat and dog food, clay litter and litter boxes, towels, bleach and toys to help them cope with the increases.