Numerous considerations go into managing the large population of stray animals in TCAS’s service area. Responsibly managing the public resources that fund the shelter means we may not accept all animals at all times. Every sheltering organization has a maximum capacity for care (C4C), and the population in their care must not exceed that level. This is determined by both the space and staff available to adequately care for our animals. Once a shelter operates within its C4C, human resources (staff, volunteers, others) are often freed up to do any of the other important shelter tasks to further serve the shelter animals and/or community outreach programs. This system feeds positively on itself. Meeting C4C allows animals to remain healthy with good welfare during their stay and move through the system quickly without delays from illness. Since animals arrive at their appropriate outcomes more quickly, resources are freed up to further serve the mission and goals of the facility – often with an ability to serve more animals. The organization can thus be an even better resource for the community to improve the welfare of animals within and beyond the shelter walls. In the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, pet abandonments across the Tri-Cities region have surged. As a result, it is not uncommon for all shelters across our region to reach their capacity for care at the same time. The broad consensus is that leaving healthy animals unsheltered is preferable to overcrowding shelters. This is because when any shelter exceeds its capacity for care, pain and suffering increase for all the animals in its care. That runs counter to the mission shelters and to the interests of the animals and the surrounding community. TCAS has several methods it can employ to stay within its capacity for care: Transfer animals to partners within and beyond our region and state Public education on spaying/neutering and microchipping pets Pet fostering Limit or pause animal intake As a last result, euthanize for space