Earlier this month, we wrote a story about the number of euthanized dogs at the LaGrange Animal Shelter. More than 1,200 dogs were put down in 2017, which is actually a decline from previous years.

Since then, we’ve written a couple of follow up stories featuring ways the animals are adopted out. Puppy Pipeline Rescue of Georgia and Releash Atlanta both work with the animal shelter to take animals up north, where they are more in demand and get them adopted. Over 1,000 animals get adopted from the shelter each year, including 1,265 in 2017.

Of course, the LaGrange-Troup County Humane Society is always doing its part as well. The humane society keeps a list of adoptable dogs on its website, and if you’re looking for a pet, we recommend starting there.

In the comments of those stories on Facebook, the discussion always turns into ways people can help. That discussion is a good thing because it gets people talking and brings attention to the problem overall. So, how can you help?

The easiest way is to make sure your animals are spayed or neutered. Shelters can only hold so many dogs at a time, and despite all of the people trying to help out, there’s only so much demand for animals.

Next, we’re sure that these nonprofits and the humane society would always welcome volunteers. Organizations that help animals often need foster homes to give them love until someone steps forward to adopt them.

Lastly, if your dog goes missing or someone you know is looking for a dog, tell them to start their search at the shelter. The shelter does its best to post about the dogs it finds, but many times owners come there weeks later.