In Syracuse, New York, animal shelters are facing a significant challenge as they approach full capacity. This situation has had a ripple effect, impacting local businesses, including a dog grooming establishment in the area.
Erika Johnson, who has been running Karma Dior for roughly eight months, finds herself in an unexpected position. She has become a caretaker for dogs left at her business, averaging about one dog a month.
Recently, a pitbull was left at the front steps of Karma Dior on a Saturday morning. This situation left Erika feeling overwhelmed, as she realized she could not accommodate any more abandoned dogs.
Erika expressed her dilemma, stating, “It’s pretty stressful for me because I am left with the decision to leave them out on the street or take them in because there is no other option. I don’t have the financial funds to be able to always help so I’m left with asking for donations.”
Despite being a dog lover, Erika is facing the reality that she cannot provide shelter for more animals. She already has six dogs that were left with her in the past eight months.
Erika is concerned about the safety of the dogs already in her care at the daycare. She emphasized, “I have them all here and they are still being fed every day and being taken care of going to the vets so it’s like they are my dogs but they are not my dogs. I can’t get attached to them. I am just trying to do the best I can as a person who has a heart and cares about them.”
Troy Waffner from the CNY SPCA praised Erika for her efforts to help these animals despite the challenges. He said, “You know my heart goes out to anyone who does that. Truly shows they love animals. It truly shows they are trying to do everything they can in a hard situation because really that’s not her business to be taking animals in. She’s doing it knowing the animals have no other choice, no other place to go and I give her all the credit in the world.”
Erika is seeking assistance to find homes for the dogs. She vows to continue helping any dog she can until she receives the help she needs.
She has a message for the person who abandoned the dog at her business: “You dropped a dog off at Karma Dior, and it’s a Karma Dior, a door full of karma so you either get good karma or bad karma and I just hope you know your dog is taken care of.”
Erika has reached out to the Syracuse Police and Animal Control to help manage the situation.
Troy Waffner of CNY SPCA wants the community to understand that abandoning an animal is illegal. However, the SPCA and other shelters are willing to work with individuals who need to rehome an animal.