SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — The Sevier Animal Care Center said it needed help Thursday to bring in dogs kept outside, making sure they stayed dry while rain poured. It said severe weather was causing a nearby river to overflow, posing a danger to the animals.
The animal center reached out on social media, asking people to bring crates to help house the 10 dogs that were housed outside. It said another organization brought a horse trailer to help house the dogs, but the animal center needed crates to keep them in.
The animal center later updated the social media post and said the community stepped up and helped them move the dogs safely inside.
Earlier in the day, the animal center said it was "desperately" over capacity. It said 72 canines were in the shelter with only 32 kennels to keep them in. Since there was no space left, the shelter said it had to house some dogs in its outdoor kennels, despite the rain.
But as the rain led to a nearby river overflowing, the animal center said it had to act fast to make sure the dogs were kept safe. In total, the animal center said it has 190 animals in its care, kept inside a 3,900-square-foot building with 11 employees.
"As we said a few of weeks ago when we were in a similar situation, the last thing we want to consider is euthanasia and we will do everything in our power to avoid it. However, overpopulation in our county is out of control and we are out of resources. We cannot do this alone and need support from our community," it said on social media.