No-Kill Shelter Overcrowding.

The Mason County Animal Shelter is overcrowded with dogs, which could force the shelter to start killing.

The shelter currently has more than 300 dogs, but the county wants it down to 50 dogs. “I can't look at him and say you're number 51,”Shelter Co-Director Alicia Ridenour said.

If Ridenour can’t reduce the dog overpopulation at the Mason County Animal Shelter, the city commission may ask her to do just that.

Before the previous shelter burned in November 2005, dogs were coming in at an alarming rate. Despite adoptions and dogs sent to other states as part of rescue missions, the numbers just keep growing.

Less than a year later, a brand new, bigger shelter opened in the old one’s place. Within weeks, dogs already exceeded the increased capacity to 150 dogs.

Now, nine months later, the number has doubled to more than 300 dogs. There is no longer a waiting room, just another small area to put the dogs.

Ridenour is determined to adopt out these dogs and lead a crusade to prevent the dumping of more.

“We would love to see that, but the community is going to have to spay and neuter--when pets become a nuisance, they bring them to us,” Ridenour said, “dogs are hit and they say when they're vetted--call me. I want it back.”

She is working to secure a grant that would reduce that $85 cost. In an effort to find a solution, the county commission called in the Humane Society of the United States. Their evaluation showed some euthanization may be necessary.

Ridenour said they're not opposed to euthanizing if it's absolutely medically necessary and the animal can't be helped. That alone, may reduce the numbers enough to make a difference.

Animals from the Mason County Shelter will be available at a pet adopt-a-thon in Gallipolis Saturday from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tractor Supply Company.

Thousands of pounds of food has been donated to the animal shelter but they need a vehicle to go pick it up. Anyone looking to donate a vehicle or make any other donations can call the shelter at 304-675-6458.