The Vernon Parish Animal Shelter is warning the community that it is approaching a critical point due to overcrowding and a spread of ringworm among cats.
According to the shelter, cats are experiencing a spread of ringworm, and because the facility does not have a proper isolation area, staff members are working to manage the situation and care for the animals safely.
The shelter also reported it is at maximum capacity with dogs and is asking for animals to leave through adoption, foster care, rescue or responsible reclaim.
Officials said they do not want to euthanize any animal for space but may have to call a “Mayday” if animals do not leave the shelter soon.
The shelter said a Mayday is its most serious effort to notify the community that animals are at immediate risk of euthanasia because there is no longer enough space to safely house incoming animals.
The Vernon Parish Animal Shelter said it must continue providing animal control services and cannot permanently hold kennels while waiting weeks or months for animals to be adopted.
The shelter will continue updating available animals and is asking residents to share posts and visit the shelter to meet available pets.
The shelter is also asking the community to help prevent unnecessary shelter intake by making efforts to rehome pets before surrendering them, safely holding stray animals while searching for owners or intake options, spaying and neutering pets, keeping vaccinations current, microchipping pets and keeping animals safely contained at home.
The shelter encouraged residents to adopt, foster, rescue, reclaim and share available animals, noting every open kennel could save a life.