05/25/2026
We Need to Talk About the Surge of Small Dogs Entering Our Shelter
We’re seeing something we’ve never seen before: a wave of small dogs being surrendered or brought in as strays — and they’re not leaving. Day after day, they remain in our care, waiting for homes that used to appear instantly.
Not long ago, small dogs almost never reached the shelter. One Facebook post was all it took for a lost or unwanted little dog to be claimed, rehomed, or adopted. If a small dog did make it to us, people lined up before we opened to take it home.
That’s no longer the reality.
Small dogs are now being surrendered. Small dogs are now being found as strays. And most concerning of all — small dogs are now sitting in the shelter with no adopters waiting for them.
This should worry all of us. Small dogs have always had the highest chance of adoption. If even they are struggling to find homes, it tells us something critical: we are facing a serious overpopulation problem. There are simply more dogs than there are homes available.
The only way to change this trajectory is through responsible action. Spaying and neutering pets is the most effective tool we have to reduce overpopulation and ensure that every dog — big or small — has a chance at a safe, loving home.
Change won’t happen overnight. But with consistent effort, education, and community commitment, we can work toward a future where shelters aren’t overflowing, and every dog has a place to belong.
