Kennel deals with space issues

Warden: Kennel almost full, seeks public’s help to avoid euthanizing dogs

The Lorain County Dog Kennel is hovering near capacity and needs the public’s help to maintain its near-four year streak of not euthanizing any of its adoptable dogs.

Lorain County Dog Warden Tim Pihlblad said space woes at the kennel, 301 Hadaway St. in Elyria, began Aug. 26 when his crew picked up 12 dogs across the county.

Things got worse the next day when crews picked up nine dogs, Pihlblad said.

However, he said he can’t figure out why so many canines were on the loose.

“Usually around the Fourth of July, with the fireworks and stuff, you can expect some dogs getting loose, but it was just a hot day,” Pihlblad said. “We’re still trying to figure that out.”

Compounding the issue, Pihlblad said that none of the 21 dogs his crew picked up last weekend had dog licenses. Not having a license makes it

Anyone interested in adopting a dog from the kennel must pay a $66 adoption fee, which includes a dog license, vaccines and spaying and neutering procedures.

difficult for authorities to return them to their owners.

“It’s like the most important thing you can do for your dog,” he said. “It’s cheap insurance — $16.”

Pihlblad said about two-thirds of the stray dogs picked up in the county are found in Lorain and Elyria.

On the morning of Aug. 29, Pihlblad said there were 36 dogs in the kennel, which has 28 large cages and 40 medium to small cages.

“We never worry about (the small cages) because the small dogs always go quick,” Pihlblad said. “It’s mainly the large cages, which that morning, was just totally full.”

Since then, the Animal Protective League took a few dogs, some owners picked up their dogs and there were a few adoptions.

“It’s a little bit better, but just like it just happened, it’ll happen again,” Pihlblad said.

The kennel likes to go into each weekend with at least seven cages open for any dogs they have to pick up, he said.

“We’re full when we get to 75 percent of occupancy because we don’t want another weekend like the last,” Pihlblad said.

He said he believes this weekend has the potential to be worse than the last because of the Labor Day holiday, Sept. 3.

Anyone interested in adopting a dog from the kennel must pay a $66 adoption fee, which includes a dog license, vaccines and spaying and neutering procedures.

The kennel is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays. It is closed Sundays and Mondays.

The kennel is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays. It is closed Sundays and Mondays.