Pet Adoptions Soar at Animal Shelter

Overwhelming response to NEWSCHANNEL 5 story

EDINBURG - The Upper Valley Humane Society says they got more phone calls and visitors on Thursday than they have in several years. And it's all thanks to a story done by NEWSCHANNEL 5.

The story focused on the number of animals euthanized every year. More than 37,000 are put down and dumped at a landfill.

On Thursday, dozens of people showed up to help alleviate the overcrowding problem at the facility.

Tracey Taylor says, "It was heartbreaking. And it made it come to light and everybody needs to know about this. There's so many dogs that are here and cats that need homes."

The Upper Valley Humane Society's President Charles Myers says the story has definitely helped, but it isn't enough.

"Our biggest problem is educating the folks of the Rio Grande Valley as to what our problems are and that we are the cause," says Myers.

The Humane Society says it will take our story and show it to civic organizations and students in Hidalgo County to raise awareness.