Augusta Animal Services reports a noticeable increase in stray and lost animals as temperatures climb, a seasonal trend that officials say is typical during the summer months.
Animal Control Supervisor James Dowdy explains that the rise is attributed to several factors: pets escaping from homes, breeding season leading to unplanned litters, and in some cases, outright abandonment.
“We always see a surge this time of year,” Dowdy said. “Pets get out more when it’s warm, and unfortunately, some people decide to leave animals behind.”
The department urges residents to secure fences, spay or neuter pets, and microchip their animals to improve the chances of reuniting lost pets with their owners.