All proceeds from the FurFest will benefit the SPCA of East Texas in Tyler. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

Just months after opening their state-of-the-art building, the SPCA East Texas has temporarily stopped taking in animals. With more than 200 unwanted cats and dogs being housed in the brand-new facility, the shelter has been inundated with an overwhelming amount of requests, as well as cases of abused and neglected animals.

“We make it our business to say yes,” said Kat Cortelyou, Director of Operations. “Unfortunately, for a little while we’re just gonna have to say no.”

When staff members went out on a call, they were told 15 dogs needed to be rescued.

“… 17 and half of those dogs were pregnant,” Cortelyou said. “So, 17 turned into 33 within two weeks because all of those pregnant dogs were just ready to pop at that moment, and we didn’t know that going out.”

But they were not going to turn down the opportunity to help.

“You just kinda have to always be prepared for anything when you go out on these rescues or help out,” Cortelyou said. “But unfortunately, that’s also how you get overwhelmed.”

From the cases of neglect, abandonment and medical necessities, the shelter’s resources have been strained.

“In order for the animals to get the love, the attention, the training and everything that they need and us to be able to medically provide for them as well as food and their basic needs,” Cortelyou said. “We just have to shut it down for a little while until we can kind of get back on top of things.”

Cortelyou broke the news to her staff Wednesday morning after mulling it over the night before.

“It’s heartbreaking to me, to everyone here,” she said on Wednesday afternoon. “It’s been very solemn today.”

The 16,000-square-foot building has a meet-and-greet area, kitten and puppy rooms, cat and dog sanctuaries, an indoor play area as well as Astroturf outdoor play areas.

“We built this great new building and it has a lot more space in it, but we have filled that space already because that’s what people are expecting us to do,” Cortelyou said.

Areas like the indoor play section have turned into a makeshift space to make accommodations for the dogs.

In addition to the general well-being of the animals, some are in need of critical medical attention — from heartworm positive to mange to amputations — which costs money for treatment and care.

“I feel like we’re not being true to the animals by giving them the love and the attention that they need,” Cortelyou said. “If we’re having to take care of so many animals that we are having to cut back on how much time we can spend with each animal. And that’s just kind of a corner I’m not willing to cut right now.”

The nonprofit is not only asking for monetary donations but looking for fosters as well.

“Not only is it taxing on us, money-wise, but it’s not having the fosters that we used to have,” Cortelyou said. “Foster homes are kind of far and few between lately.”

The shelter looks for donated items such as dog and cat foods, as well as cat litter; however, Cortelyou said monetary donations make it easy to divvy out how best to serve the animals, especially for their medical needs.

SPCA of East Texas is asking for the help of the community, and encouraging the public to consider adoption, donation, or fostering as ways to contribute to their mission.

If you are needing help with an animal, there is a list of resources on their website at: spcaeasttx.com/surrender-a-pet.

“We are working as hard as we can to get to a place where we can reopen the intake, but we cannot do it without your help,” Cortelyou said in a statement. “Please consider helping us in any way you can, so that we may continue with these important lifesaving missions.”