Pet Adoptions Decline At Frederick County Shelter

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- The number of pet adoptions and rescues from Frederick County's animal shelter has been falling over the past five years, leading to an increase in animals put to death.

Animal workers tell The Frederick News-Post that economic hardships have played a role in the downward trend in pet adoptions. They say donations to the shelter have declined, and many families can't afford new pets.

In the 2013 fiscal year, the number of animals euthanized at the county shelter has risen by 183 for a total of 3,090 animals. Euthanasia now accounts for more than half of the shelter's intakes for the year.

Connie Graf, director of the Frederick County Humane Society, says those numbers sound horrible but aren't as bad as other jurisdictions in the area.

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