Louisville animal shelter 'desperately' needs homes for its overflow of puppies

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Lyndon dog rescue organization said it's overrun with puppies, and they're asking for the public to come take home a forever pet.

GRRAND: Golden Retriever Rescue and Adoption of Need Dogs near New La Grange Road and Lyndon Lane has more than 100 dogs in its care right now, and 42 of them are puppies. And when it takes them in, it's literally saving their lives.

"We're responding and doing the best we can," said Jane Sonntag, adoption coordinator at GRRAND. "But, right now, we're struggling to keep up. We desperately, desperately need adoptive homes and foster homes so badly for these dogs."

Sonntag said part of the problem stems from the COVID-19 pandemic, when people wanted a dog at home combined with a limit on veterinarians performing spay and neuter surgeries during that time.

"Over the 30 years, we've not experienced as challenging times as we have right now. Ever," she said. "... The pet overpopulation just exploded."

Sonntag also points to the economy, breeders unable to sell all the puppies they have and people unable to afford their pets.

"When shelters are unable to take the dogs, and rescues are full, unfortunately, a lot of dogs are being dumped," she said. "It's just tragic and it's really gut-wrenching."

At the same time, some of the dogs at GRRAND are still weary of people. Joe, a dedicated volunteer, is teaching the dogs it's OK to love again.

"He is the person they trust and he comes here every day," Sonntag said. "It's a lot to overcome."

The dozens of dogs GRRAND can't house end up in kennels across the state. But they're about to have to check out of the doggy hotels because of spring break.

"They've told us 'Yeah, we can help you up until March 20-something, but all your dogs have to be out by them,'" Sonntag said. "So we're kind of panicking right now."

So, out of time and out of space, GRRAND volunteers hope they can find loving homes to help.

If any of these dogs are calling your name, click here to explore adoption.