When This Shelter Had To Close, People Had The Best Response

Everyone had a home within 48 hours ❤️

When an animal shelter in Pennsylvania ran out of money to keep operating, it announced that it would be closing — and people shared this announcement nearly 5,000 times. 

That's because they were so worried about the animals still there in need of homes. 

There were a few dozen dogs, cats, bunnies and small animals still in residence at the Lancaster County SPCA (LCSPCA) as of July 25, when the shelter made the sad announcement — but that didn't last long.

People on social media shared the photos of all these animals. To encourage the adoptions, the shelter reduced its adoption fees for dogs and made other animals free upon approval. The shelter planned to place the remaining animals with other area shelters if they couldn't find homes in time.

But they didn't have to. People were already tagging their friends under photos of dogs and cats the shelter had up for adoption. The shelter was absolutely overwhelmed with requests. 

"Due to the recent announcement of the Lancaster SPCA closing, we have been overwhelmed with phone calls and emails," the shelter wrote

According to local news, crowds lined up at the shelter to adopt dogs, cats, guinea pigs and bunnies. And in just 48 hours, ever single animal had been adopted. A shelter worker put a sign up saying so on the front door. 

"All these animals found mommies and daddies," one commenter wrote on the shelter's Facebook page, under photos of animals who until very recently were homeless.

Some are concerned that there already aren't enough shelters for animals in need of homes and hope that another shelter agrees to take over the space left by the LCSPCA.

Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: A lot of previously unwanted animals just found happiness — and a lot of people did too.

If you think you can offer a forever home to a homeless shelter pet, you can check out Adopt-a-Pet.com or your local shelter.