R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Louie is an adoptable cat at Delta Animal Shelter. Adoption rates are low, and the shelter is currently at capacity for both dogs and cats. It is the first time they have had to enact a waitlist to take in more animals.

ESCANABA — This is the most packed Vonnie Bruce has ever seen the Delta Animal Shelter. “Every single cat kennel and every single dog kennel is full,” said Bruce, shelter operation coordinator. “It’s the first time we’ve ever had to have a waitlist for people to surrender their pets. We’ve never had that before, but right now we don’t have anywhere for them to go.”

Delta Animal Shelter is a nonprofit, no-kill shelter, which means they never euthanize animals to make space. Normally they have open admission and are the only facility in Delta County to take in stray animals and owner surrenders, said Bruce. They are licensed to accept household pets like dogs, cats, birds, rodents, reptiles — there was even a tarantula once — but they do not take in wildlife or farm animals.

In order to create room for strays and to help work through the waitlist or people who are no longer able to care for their pets, adoption rates need to increase.

“Even if you don’t see a bunch of animals on the website, that doesn’t mean behind the scenes we don’t have a bunch getting ready for adoption,” Bruce explained before describing the process.

When animals come to the shelter, they are first given a few days to decompress and get over the stress of being in a new place before anyone begins assessment of their personalities. Then, said Bruce, an experienced team evaluates a dog’s disposition through a series of tests to determine how they might respond to being disrupted while eating, hearing a vacuum, and other elements. This helps to create a profile so each pet can find their forever owner.

Dogs not deemed ready may be sent to Munising as part of the “Dawgs Adapt” program. People detained at Alger Correctional Facility who have worked their way into the program are trained in dog handling. Dogs live with the trainers, working on behavior and socialization, for up to 12 weeks before going up for adoption.

Delta Animal Shelter does not have a vet on staff; rather, local vets offer their time once or twice a month. On Tuesday, a vet was on location to spay and neuter several dogs and cats who will be available soon.

“Everybody’s spayed and neutered, microchipped, started on vaccines. We do a dewormer and a flea and tick treatment. And they actually come with a complimentary vet visit to a local vet clinic as well,” explained Bruce of the adoption process.

Fostering an animal is also made easy. The shelter provides everything — “If you supply the love, we supply the rest,” said Bruce. “It’s usually a 10- to 12-week commitment.”

Julie Theoret has been fostering for about a year and a half and says she recommends it to anybody. “It fills your heart without having to fill your home with a bunch of animals.” Although, she laughed, she often ends up adopting some of the animals herself. But in her case, having an animal-rich home (she has three large-breed dogs and five cats of her own) means that kittens she fosters always return socialized.

“And if you don’t have any animals, (fostering) is a good way to help the community and fill your heart, and then you can give them back.”

Anyone interested in adopting a cat or small pet like a rabbit can visit the shelter anytime during the shelter’s opening hours (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). To meet dogs, completion of an application — which may be done online or at the shelter — is required.

Want to help but unable to take care of an animal or dedicate time to volunteer? Delta Animal Shelter can always use donations of cleaning supplies like liquid Lysol and paper towels, and Bruce says they are currently in need of wet canned kitten food and Purina One chicken and rice dog food.