Johnson County Animal Shelter over capacity by 60%; closes intakes

The Johnson County Animal Shelter is severely over its capacity, leading staff to stop accepting new animals.

On social media, the animal shelter announced it was closing intakes in coordination with Johnson County leadership until capacity is reduced to an “appropriate and manageable level.”

This is the first time the animal shelter has had to close intakes, and the highest number of animals the shelter has had since opening. Currently, the shelter houses 370 animals, putting them roughly 60% over capacity, said Cari Klotzsche, shelter director.

There have been talks of closing intakes for the last several weeks, and in the meantime, animals “kept pouring in.” While the shelter was recently expanded to add more space, the new space has already filled up, Klotzsche said.

“We have been