NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. -- The New Hanover Humane Society is experiencing a unique problem, a shortage of animals in their shelter. The facility has space for 16 dogs and eight cats, but currently only has three dogs and two cats.

Humane Society President, Jamie Kilgore, says their stricter guidelines for accepting animals and the increase in rescue organizations in the area are causing the decrease in their adoption pool. 

Animals must have had a rabies vaccination for at least 21 days to be left at the humane society. 

"A lot of times, when people are ready to give up their animal, they're ready to give up their animal. You know, we'll take their name and call them back when the 21 days is up after they get their rabies vaccines and by then they've generally already given the animal away," says Kilgore. 

Kilgore says they're working with New Hanover County Animal Services to address the shortage.