Independence Animal Services hosts fee-free adoptions to lessen burden [Video]

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Animal shelters across the country are facing critical capacity issues, and that’s no different here in the Kansas City area.

Independence Animal Services said its “Clear the Shelters” campaign in September ended with a weekend of fee-free adoptions.

The low cost for adopters resulted in more than 30 animals leaving their facility for a permanent home.

Terrell Sage works for the city of Independence and saw the need first hand. He adopted his second cat from the shelter.

Sage’s cat, Cheese, was once a shy kitten.

He credits his cat’s success to getting him outside of the shelter.

“As soon as he got home — super playful,” Sage said. “Not being at the shelter completely changed him.”

Unfortunately, the shelter is back at full capacity less than a month later.

“It’s coming in at such a rate that we can not find space,” said Christina Heinen, director at Independence Health and Animal Services. “It is extremely stressful not only for the staff, …