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The Morristown-Hamblen Humane Society is experiencing a combination of adoption shortages along with high numbers of intakes that have left the shelter with record amounts of overcrowding.

This crisis comes right on the cusp of the fourth of July weekend which is the busiest time for the Humane Society.

Morristown-Hamblen Humane Society Executive Director, Lori Hotel says she stays awake at night worrying about the animals they won’t be able to help because all of their kennels are full,

“We don’t have kennels. Animals are going to come in and we don’t have anywhere to put them. We try our hardest not to make those difficult decisions, we don’t want to have to make those difficult decisions.” Hotel said.

Hotel explained that the Fourth of July weekend is historically the busiest season for the Humane Society as animals left outside get confused and frightened of the fireworks and will run away from their yards.

”Fourth of July is when more animals get spooked by fireworks out of any week of the year. We are already incredibly full so we don’t have those open kennels that we like to have going into the fourth just to be prepared for that high number of intakes we know will happen.”

Hotel went on to explain that if there’s nowhere for stray or lost animals to be taken and they’re left roaming around, it poses a risk for both the animals and the public, but there is something the community can do to help out, and that’s foster.

Fostering is an alternative to adoption and a way for individuals to decide if they want to add a permanent member to their family, or just help out the Humane Society and love on some four-legged friends along the way.

Fostering is free, and Hotel says the process is simple and all necessities and food will be provided to the foster home.

“You come in and fill out a foster application, that’s the first step, and then we provide everything that will be needed to foster the animals. Only specific animals are able to be fostered because they have to be off hold, we have various animals needing a whole degree of care.

Hotel went on to say, “Some are just little kittens that need to get bigger, and some are medical cases, it just depends on the situation. With kittens, depending how old they are they have to be at least 2lbs and 8 weeks old in order to be available for adoption, for dogs it just depends are they’re just needing a couple of weeks away for socialization and a break from the shelter or are they needing longer term medical care. It just varies.”

Hotel also wants the community to be aware that they’re partnering with Claws and Paws to have a vaccine clinic coming on July 1 from 10am-1pm This will be a cash only event and a full list of services and prices are as follows: Rabies vaccines $10, FVRCP $12, DHPP $12, Bordetella $12, and Microchipping will also be available for $15.

The Humane Society would like to remind families to please bring remember to bring their animals inside during the fourth of July to avoid the potential of their pet running away and getting lost, stolen, or injured.

For any questions or to help the Humane Society during this critical time, contact them at 423-581-1494 or visit their facebook page.