DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. -- Healthy animals could put put down in Davidson County.
The Davidson County Animal Shelter says they are at capacity, and the shelter has a sign posted on its door.
It reads "If you are surrendering your animal to the shelter, it may be euthanized in less than 24 hours."
"We definitely have a problem in Davidson County of overpopulation, and dogs that are not cared for properly -- and cats. I think it's very important that people understand and know that yes -- their animal could be euthanized," said Davidson County Animal Alliance Member, Robin Lindsay.
Lindsay works with the Davidson County Animal Alliance, which works very closely with the Davidson County Animal Shelter.
Lindsay volunteers at the shelter every week, and says the situation is serious.
Especially now.
During the week of July 4th, shelters see a spike in dogs that get scared by fireworks and run away.
When animal control officers drop them off at the shelter, those dogs must be kept for 72 hours.
That means when people "surrender" or give up their perfectly healthy dogs, they could be euthanized, because there just isn't enough space.
It's a job, no animal lover wants.
"So I'd feel like the Grim Reaper going down saying that dog got to go that cats got to go and I just can't imagine there what they have to go through on a daily basis when I have to choose which animals have to be euthanized," said Lindsay.
We spoke with folks from the Shelter and they say some of their busiest days are the few days after the fourth.
To illustrate the dire situation, they took in 57 new animals yesterday.
18 of the cats came from one person.
The shelter needs loving families to adopt or fosters to care for animals.