Albany Humane Society reminds public to properly drop off unwanted pets

ALBANY – The Albany Humane Society is open to accepting animals surrendered by owners whose circumstances make it impossible to care for the animals, but tying them up at night outside the shelter is not the preferred method of dropping off a pet.

That was the scene that greeted shelter workers on a recent morning when a medium-sized brown dog was found tied up outside when they arrived.

Video footage shows someone leaving the animal at the facility at about 8 p.m., AHS Fundraising and Marketing Director Sam Threadgill said. The organization is not looking to prosecute the person but is using the episode as a chance to remind the public that dumping off an unwanted animal is dangerous to the dog or cat and is also illegal.

The shelter posted videos notifying the public about the potential harm to an animal dropped off while employees are not present.

In one infamous case a few years ago, a man threw a dog over a security fence at the shelter during the night. That dog suffered a ruptured spleen from the fall and was later euthanized.

“We’re not trying to hate on the person” from the recent incident, Threadgill said. “Honestly, I think they thought they were doing the right thing. The animal was fine, but it’s obviously not the best thing. It’s just more of a public service announcement so people know it’s not the right thing to do.

“It was just a public service announcement to let people know it is illegal to drop off animals and it is dangerous for the animal to be out there without food and water while tied up.”

Despite a prominent sign in the front of the AHS building warning that dumping animals is illegal, staff at the shelter estimated that between two and five are left there during non-business hours each month. The shelter is generally at or near full capacity and currently is housing about 275 dogs.

The shelter is a “no-judgment facility,” Threadgill said, and accepts animals when owners are forced to surrender them. Some of the more common reasons individuals give for surrendering an unwanted animal include financial issues or moving to a new residence where animals are not allowed.

The Humane Society does charge a fee of $50 per animal or $50 per litter, but that fee can be waived in the event of financial difficulty on the part of the owner.

“Life happens, and sometimes they find they can’t take care of them any more,” Threadgill said. “If you’ve tried everything else and you have to bring your animal to us, we absolutely will take them and try to find them a new home. But we would rather they bring it in and make sure it’s safe.”

The Humane Society posted video of the public service announcement at https://www.facebook.com/reel/1798615197397021 and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL8YYtIsMoS/.