A Florida animal shelter is facing backlash after claiming they were completely full, only to ship in 'more desirable' puppies from Georgia just days later.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay announced on Facebook that all 363 of its kennels were full on March 25 and could no longer accept medium-or large-sized dogs.
However, in an email to volunteers cited by the Tampa Bay Times, the shelter asked for 'someone for an airport pickup on Sunday! We've got some more animals who need help flying into St. Pete/Clearwater airport…'
Humane Society CEO Sherry Silk told the outlet that they accepted six hound puppies from a Georgia shelter.
Shelters try to support one another, and Silk noted that they 'had space for little dogs,' but 'not the big ones.'
Despite the seemingly helpful gesture by the shelter, Anna Cooke, an animal advocate, told The Times that she wondered why they would be 'turning away the community's dogs and importing other, more desirable dogs?'
Cooke noted that other shelters also import dogs from other shelters but questioned why they wouldn't take care of dogs in their own neighborhoods first.
Karen Heinberg, who told the Times, volunteered at the Humane Society for 5 years, said that puppy adoption fees are much higher than those for older dogs.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay claimed they had no more room for larger dogs before importing six hound puppies from a Georgia shelter
The puppies were adopted within in two days of arriving at the shelter at the fee of $250 each (A puppy from the shelter posted to their Facebook - not confirmed if it was one of the six rom Georgia)
In comparison, a dog's fee that is over 8 years old would be only $50, while a puppy is $250.
The shelter considers puppies three months and under while charging $130 for adult dogs between the ages of senior and pup.
The puppies from Georgia were all adopted in a matter of two days.
The CEO of the shelter noted that many adopters are looking for puppies and that by having them, they can sometimes turn people to older dogs.
Silk added that their facility fills up regularly twice a year, but for it to be at capacity so early into the year is something they haven't seen.
'When people are struggling, an extra mouth to feed becomes problematic,' she said. 'Especially when it's a big dog.'
The shelter refused to take 32 big dogs over three days towards the end of March, according to the outlet.
Join the discussion
Should local dogs be passed over for out-of-state puppies just because puppies are easier to adopt out?
Adult dogs are a $130 fee to adopt and senior dogs over the age of 8 years old are only $50
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay announced on Facebook that all 363 of its kennels were full on March 25
In addition to dogs, the Humane Society has cats, rabbits, and reptiles that can be adopted at a fee.
Barnyard animals and birds are also available for adoption.
The Tampa Bay Times noted that, as of Friday, the shelter had three spaces available for larger dogs.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Humane Society for comment.