LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — There's no more space at Blue Chip Animal Farm Refuge in the Back Mountain. Every kennel is full every volunteer is working long hours yet they just took in 6 more dogs today alone.
"Right now, we're completely out of space, everyone's getting dumped, we just got six dogs dumped on us from someone living out of their car, plus all the dogs that came in over the weekend," said Emma Ripka, Blue Chip Animal Farm Refuge volunteer.
That's on top of a new litter of mastiff puppies. The six siblings were abandoned throughout Luzerne County only four of them were found.
They were brought to their new home at Blue Chip, but it won't be for long. Two of these puppies have already been adopted, and there are still two left.
"Dumping animals right now is at an all-time high for sure, whether it is surrenders or physically dumping them, it's nonstop. You get different ones every day now," said Ripka.
It's a trend that's becoming concerning for a number of shelters and rescues throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
Like - griffin pond, Blue Chip, and Friends with Paws.
Newswatch 16 covered the growing trend throughout the past year.
Those who work with these abandoned animals every day have theories on what's causing the rise.
"A lot of irresponsible pet owners, people aren't getting their animals fixed, a lot of people got dogs during COVID, cats during COVID, and didn't realize what actually goes into being a pet owner," said Ripka.
"I don't know if it's people coming into the city from other metropolitan areas, whether it be New York, New Jersey, Maryland. I get so many phone calls, 'I just moved here, and I can't keep my dog, and I can't keep my cat," said Clara Cammerota, Friends with Paws organizer.
One thing's for sure: shelters are hanging on by a thread, trying to keep up with the growing number of dogs that are being dumped.
"It's also incredibly stressful; every time an animal is dumped, and we have to go out and look for them, it completely changes our entire day, and everything we have to do just gets switched to revolving around that animal," said Ripka.
"Sometimes I can't sleep at night, you know someone said 'you can't help them all,' well we try, but why are people doing it," said Cammerota.
But these rescues can't do it on their own. They're hoping lawmakers can step in.
"Honestly, the only solution would be that our state puts in stricter laws; right now, nothing else seems to be helping. The only thing that would actually help us is actual laws being put against animal owners," added Ripka.
Blue Chip, Griffin Pond, and Friends with Paws are looking for volunteers to foster these animals. More information can be found on their websites.