OKEECHOBEE -- The number of unwanted dogs and cats in Okeechobee County can overwhelm the county animal control service, according to information shared at the May 22 meeting of the Okeechobee County Board of Commissioners.

Representatives from nonprofit animal welfare organizations spoke at the meeting with offers to help.

 “We understand Okeechobee County Animal Control is under huge stress,” said Barabara Birdsey of the Pegasus Foundation, Everglades Animal Coalition and Nala’s Rescue.

They are overwhelmed by the number of animals being abandoned or surrendered, she said.

“No one wants to have to euthanize a healthy animal,” she added.

“Okeechobee County has a high level of poverty. Many residents cannot afford to have their animals spayed or neutered,” she explained.

“Now you are building a new wing onto the Animal Control building, we ask that you consider designating a room in that building that could be used as a clinic for a spay/neuter program,” she added.

“We are not asking for money,” said a representative of Caring Fields Felines and Cat Rescue. “Our goal is to rescue these cats, especially the pregnant females, let them have their babies, get the babies adopted and get the mothers adopted.

He said the nonprofit organization has an annual budget of $1 million, which comes from donations. Until now, the organization was a rescue organization. Their goal now is community involvement, he explained.

Commission Chair David Hazellief explained the county has contracted animal control services to the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO).

He said they currently have three groups who come in to help with low cost spay and neuter services. He suggested they contact OCSO to be part of that program.