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Young-Williams Animal Center reaches critical capacity for dogs and cats

July 16, 2021

Young-Williams Animal Center has reached critical capacity for dogs and cats, and adopters, fosters and volunteers are needed immediately because the shelter lacks space for the intake of additional lost, surrendered and stray animals.

“Our community always comes through for us, and we really need you right now,” says Janet Testerman, CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center. “We’ve seen a high intake for in July that exceeds this same time a year ago, and we are relying on the public’s help. Summer is always busy because of the increase in unwanted litters of puppies and kittens and the intake of strays and lost pets. Please help us find homes for these animals.”

Over the past several months, Young-Williams Animal Center has seen a consistent increase in volume of lost or stray pets. In the first two weeks of July – partially due to the July 4 holiday weekend when animals can get scared by fireworks and run away – the shelter took in 538 pets.

Adoptable dogs and cats of all ages are available for as low as $40 for adult dogs. Cats over the age of 3 are always free. Fosters also are needed to care for animals in their home – all food and supplies are provided – to open up space for new arrivals. Additional volunteers are needed to help care for the increased number of animals at the shelter.

If anyone has lost a pet, please visit Young-Williams Animal Center in person at 3201 Division St., to look in the lost-and-found section to see if the pet is at the shelter. Reclaimed pets also will open space for additional intake.

Both the Young-Williams Animal Center main shelter and Young-Williams Animal Village at 6400 Kingston Pike are open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and closed for one hour from 1-2 p.m. for animal quiet time. Pet adoption is available at both facilities; owners looking for lost pets should visit the Division Street location only.

About Young-Williams Animal Center
The vision of Young-Williams Animal Center is “a home for every pet.” It is the municipal shelter of the City of Knoxville and Knox County, and each year takes in more than 9,000 animals.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Young-Williams Animal Center serves the needs of lost, unwanted, abandoned and neglected animals. The center’s mission is to lead the community to end pet homelessness, promote animal welfare and enhance the human-animal bond through the shelter and placement of animals, spay/neuter initiatives and public education of companion animal issues. Young-Williams Animal Center reminds pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.

Young-Williams Animal Center’s main facility is located off Sutherland Avenue at 3201 Division Street. Young-Williams Animal Village satellite adoption location and public spay/neuter program is located at 6400 Kingston Pike.

Both locations are open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The shelter closes from 1-2 p.m. for an hour of quiet time for the animals. For more information about Young-Williams Animal Center, call 865-215-6599 or visit https://www.young-williams.org/.