Staff photo / Chris McBride Jason Cooke, president of the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, stands near the construction site Thursday as excavators work on what will be a new 4,200-square-foot multi-purpose facility that Cooke explained would expand the Warren shelter capacity along with providing space for training, seminars, a pet food pantry, a small dog room and an indoor play area.

WARREN — With 13 new dogs taken in since Monday, including one infected with parvovirus, the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project is operating over capacity as cases of pet abandonment and neglect climb.

Jason Cooke, president of Healthy Hearts and Paws, said, “We went from having some empty kennels to no space at all.”

The dogs came from various circumstances. Cooke said some were abandoned, others were strays and a few were surrendered by owners facing eviction or housing issues.

The financial burden of caring for these animals is significant. Cooke estimates the shelter spends about $1,000 daily on veterinary care, including spaying, neutering, vaccinations and treatments for conditions like parvovirus and cherry eye. With 13 new arrivals, costs could easily exceed $13,000 once all medical procedures are completed.

Among the recent cases is a 4-year-old mixed-breed dog found malnourished and abandoned on Layer Road in Warren Township. After a two-day search, Warren Township police traced the dog — now named Jonas — to a home on Bechtel Road.

Charges were filed against Jason Carpenter, 46, and Amanda Carpenter, 35, in Warren Municipal Court. Jonas is now under the care of Healthy Hearts and Paws.

Cooke also highlighted ongoing issues with neglect, particularly during harsh weather. Over the past two weeks, the organization has rescued several dogs found chained outside without food or access to unfrozen water.

“We’re 20 dogs over our capacity,” Cooke said. “There appears to be no end in sight.”

The shelter, which opened a new facility on Martin Luther King Boulevard last year, was designed to house 57 dogs but now holds 81.

A separate building for cats, Bootsie’s Bungalow, was recently constructed with donations and private foundation funding. Cooke said the new space is housing 20 cats, one of which recently gave birth to a single kitten.

Ground has been broken on another addition that will be coming to the local shelter.

A 4,200-square-foot multi-purpose facility will expand the shelter’s capacity while also serving as a space for training sessions, educational seminars, a pet food pantry, a dedicated small dog area, and an indoor play space.

Cooke said there’s a need for better pet owner education and stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws.

“People have to be trained to better care for their pets,” he said. “No one forces anyone to become a pet owner. Your pets should be cared for.”

The organization operates with a $300,000 annual budget, supported by 57 volunteers. Cooke expects costs to rise in 2025 because of increased expenses for food, medicine and transportation.

Earlier this week, Warren City Council unanimously approved a contract for Cooke to serve as the city’s animal control officer. Cooke, who has been informally handling animal control duties, accepted the role and outlined his vision for addressing the root causes of animal neglect, including affordability and education.

The one-year contract is expected to save the city approximately $30,000 annually compared to previous arrangements. Cooke will operate as an independent contractor, using his own resources and liability insurance.

Residents with animal control concerns will continue to contact the police department, which will then reach out to Cooke. The contract will be reevaluated after one year to assess its effectiveness.