The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society found homes for 131 animals over the last week in response to its plea for help in relieving a capacity crisis at Albany County animal shelter.

The public's strong response to the shelter's campaign, which included reduced or waived adoption fees, means the humane society, which has kennel space for 85 dogs and about 200 cats, will head into its busiest time of year for intakes with 297 animals in its care, down from more than 400, including 131 dogs and 265 cats, last Monday.

The humane society was "in a desperate place," facing the possibility of having to turn away surrendered animals and stray cats, and challenged to find space for animal victims of cruelty and/or hoarding.

“Our team worked extremely hard, and we got very lucky. In the midst of one of the most stressful periods we have ever faced, we were heartened by the concern shown by our community, every day, as we asked for help and shared updates," CEO Ashley Jeffrey Bouck said.

While an imminent space crisis has been temporarily averted, the shelter continued to stress the need for more adoptions and greater municipal involvement due a serious shortage of kennel space.

Ninety percent of the facility's population is made of animals from animal control and cruelty cases, it said.

“Every citizen deserves to know that their lost or stray animal will be sheltered in a safe place, as well as to know specifically where that place is," Bouck said. "This is not only our crisis, it is the community’s.”

Adoptions are sponsored through the end of the month. Donations can be made here.