No-kill animal shelter in Hearne seeks forever homes for pets while facing overcrowding

HEARNE, Texas (KBTX) – With some resident pets nearly as old as the shelter has been around, HOPE Rescue and Adoption Center says it’s pressed to find good, safe, and loving homes for all its pets as it deals with an overcrowding problem.

For 20 years, HOPE Rescue and Adoption Center has cared for dogs and cats of all shapes and sizes. However, like many shelters across the nation, they’re facing overcrowding.

According to the ASPCA, 6.5 million animals go into shelters each year, but only six million leave.

There are around 50 dogs and 60 cats at HOPE Rescue, putting the shelter over capacity.

Despite a sign posted near the front door saying otherwise, HOPE’s executive director Cambria Nierdieck told KBTX she sees pets dumped at the center’s doorstep nearly every day.

Nierdieck said she noticed the increase after COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns lifted; more people were surrendering their pandemic pets. It’s a sad situation, she said, but donations help them manage.

It can be challenging for the no-kill shelter to handle, as Nierdieck noticed donations slowing down. In good spirits, she’s vowed to care for every animal she comes across.

”We’ve had some that have lived their whole lives here. We have some that are 16 years old and have came in as puppies that nobody has ever adopted,” Nierdieck said.

Donations like money, food, and other supplies are what enable the shelter to carry out its mission. For Nierdieck, it’s all about helping animals find their forever families.

One story in particular stuck out to the director, “We had a puppy that was born here, and he found his forever home at six months old. So, it was really great, because we raised him from a bottle baby, and he found his forever home. So, it was really sweet.”

Even with so many wonderful success stories, Nierdieck said the shelter can feel like a revolving door at times.

“If we can place one then we can take another one in, and we can keep the process going,” shared Nierdieck.

Through the hard work of volunteers and residents dropping off donations, Nierdieck said she knows the animals the shelter houses are well taken care of, “That means everything to us,” she said.

Action from the community helps support those efforts, especially for nonprofit shelters.

That same message is echoed by another nearby animal shelter, Six Kittens Rescue.

“I truly enjoy being out, getting to know the community members, letting them know what we do. Hopefully, [we can] encourage them to foster or to work with another organization. [It] Doesn’t have to be us! Any rescue organization will need their help,” added foster coordinator Jess Mathews.

The animals available for adoption at HOPE Rescue and Adoption Center are listed on its Petfinder page.