Animal shelters across the U.S. are facing a crisis—but none more so than those in the South. Shelters are overcrowded and under-resourced, and the reasons are complex: rising housing insecurity, economic strain, natural disasters like Hurricane Helene and devastating wildfires, and the skyrocketing cost of pet food and veterinary care.
“People have to make the choice, am I going to buy dog food or am I going to keep the lights on in our house?”
—Rebecca Lirette, Iberville Parish Animal Control and Shelter
For many families living paycheck to paycheck, surrendering a beloved pet becomes a last resort. Sadly, with adoption rates down, those pets often stay in shelters far longer than they should—if they find homes at all.
“Over 50% of our total intake is owner surrenders. And that’s due to people still having unstable housing situations.”
—Hilary Detillier, Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter
As more animals enter shelters and fewer leave, the cycle of overcrowding worsens. Staff are stretched thin, funds are dwindling, and some animals go without the care they need.
At Greater Good Charities, we believe the most powerful solution is to prevent shelter surrenders whenever possible—keeping pets where they belong: with the families who love them.
“Animal services are human services. Seeing people be able to keep their pets because of the work we’re doing—that really does it for me.”
—Hilary Detillier, Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter
We deliver critical supplies—like pet food, beds, and toys—to shelters and communities in need. This helps families afford to keep their pets at home and allows shelters to allocate resources elsewhere.
Our team of expert veterinarians provides free spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, and medications in under-resourced areas. During emergencies and disasters, we offer grants to treat injured and sick pets.
We relocate pets from overcrowded shelters in the South to areas of the country where adoption demand is higher. During disasters, we help clear shelters to make room for lost or displaced animals to reunite with their families.
Our construction team helps renovate and rebuild shelters across the U.S., creating more space for animals while lifting the financial burden of costly infrastructure repairs.
We offer hands-on training for shelter staff, fosters, and adopters to improve care for animals and help ensure long-term placement success.
You have the power to make a difference:
Together, we can reduce shelter overcrowding, prevent unnecessary surrenders, and build a more compassionate future for pets and the people who love them.