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Animal shelters in the Twin Cities saw an increase in the number of stray and abandoned animals in their facilities over the Fourth of July weekend.

The Animal Humane Society locations of Coon Rapids, Woodbury and Golden Valley report a total of 74 turn-ins of stray animals Friday through Monday. On average the locations take in about six animals a day.

The cats, dogs and other pets arrive without warning, forcing staff to figure out how to take care of them in addition to the animals they already have.

Woodbury shelter veterinary technician Kris Bulau said it can be difficult to take care of so many animals at one time.

“We have to make sure that we have the space and have the time and could actively take as good care of them as we possibly can,” Bulau said.

Shelter Operations Manager in Woodbury adds that the Humane Society can help with supplies for people who have to wait to bring animals in. 

“It’s nice that they think of us coming here but what we try to do is really get those people to make appointments because we need to plan for the animals that come to our site so we have the space for them,” she said.

Roed says one cause of the high numbers could be the season.

“There’s the fireworks and all the things that go on every weekend or even everyday that scares an animal and they open an door and it bolts out,” the shelter manager said.

The Animal Humane Society shelters begin the adoption process after five days to give people a chance to be reunited with their lost pets.

Correction (July 6, 2023): An earlier version of this story misstated one of the locations of the Animal Humane Society. The story has been updated.

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Aaliyah Demry

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The Animal Humane Society locations of Coon Rapids, Woodbury and Golden Valley report a total of 74 turn-ins of stray animals Friday through Monday, amounting to around three times the number of animals they see on average over the same period.

Abandoned, stray animals flood Twin Cities shelters after the holiday weekend

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