You don't have to be an animal lover to be concerned when you hear that some animal shelters in the state are killing as many as 60 animals a week due to overcrowding.

The Vidalia Animal Control Facility is overcrowded by about 20 dogs right now, but Major Roger Callaway of the Police Department says they do all they can to avoid destroying the animals.  "We've been picking up a lot of dogs and cats and the paramount thing is to adopt them out.  Euthanisation is a last resort when there is sickness or different things that come with animals, but that's a last resort for us," he says.

The shelter has adopted out 36 dogs and cats in the last 90 days, but is still overcrowded.  Therisa Ingley with the local Sweet Onion Animal Protection Society (SOAPS) met with city officials Wednesday and agreed to help.  "We feel like the city is doing a good job now in making sure that as many animals as possible are saved.  We are offering to build ten new kennel runs to help with space for the animals.  We are also offering to employ a part-time employee who can stay at the shelter to help with the adoption process," she says.

Applications for the job are available at the state Labor Department office in Vidalia.  And if you'd like to adopt a pet, "SOAPS" will pay one hundred dollars of the $145 adoption fee to help pay for spaying or neutering the pet.