KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Young-Williams Animal Center always sees higher rates of animals in the summer. It happens because folks go on vacation, move and because of the economy, some even lose their homes leaving their animals behind.

Now the center is calling on East Tennesseans to adopt its adult animals before they are put to sleep.

It was love at first sight for Terrie Foster and this beautiful husky.

"I saw him and I fell in love with him,” she said. “I think he's the one for me."

She was looking specifically to adopt an adult dog.

"I want a dog that’s more laid back than a puppy,” Foster said.

Terrie is the minority according to the center.

"We have less old animals going out,” said Tim Adams from Young-Williams. “People want those puppies and kittens."

The center can hold 500 animals, but receives nearly 80 new pets a day. That has lead to a high rate of animals having to be put down.

“Right now our euthanasia rate is upwards of 70 percent," said Adams. “Folks have a right to know this is not an easy place right now."

Young-Williams officials say there is only one way to stop shelter overcrowding, and that is to have your pet spayed or neutered.

"We know a lot of people think they want their animal to have one litter,” said Adams. “We say ‘why? We have 17,865 animals that came in here last year.’"
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