ANIMAL SHELTER STRAINED

Animal intake at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri broke record after record this summer.

Jhan White, animal shelter director, said 1,673 animals were dropped off at the shelter in June, July and August. The average total for those three months is only 1,200.

Part of the problem is that Farmington's humane society shelter is closed while a new facility is being built, White said. It will reopen later this month or in early October.

The other part of the problem is typical for this time of year. During warm weather, animals are out roaming and breeding. Winter months are slower as more animals are indoors or are struggling to survive the cold.

Unfortunately, adoption isn't keeping pace with intake.

"At this time of year, adoptions are low," White said. "There are just so many animals everywhere. Just look at the free-for-the-taking ads in the newspaper."