BUFFALO, N.Y. — Animal shelters are facing a crisis. They are over capacity. 

According to Best Friends Animal Society, the number of animals taken in by shelters has increased every year since 2020 — from 4 million to 4.4 million. Many animal surrenders are due to owner circumstances, such as having too many pets already or financial strain.

Another reason, which is often overlooked, is allergies. Orvis and Spots organization says 60% of adopted pets are no longer in their adoptive homes six months past the initial adoption.

Dr. Roberto Garcia-Ibáñez says some proteins make people allergic. Those are in the animals' saliva. When they clean themselves, those proteins end up on their fur and then in the air. They can stay airborne for up to 12 hours. 

If you are feeling more sniffles and sneezes, it is common this time of the year. We are inside more, and the air exchange in our homes is minimal. Dr. Garcia-Ibáñez says it is critical to know what allergies anyone in the family has before bringing home a pet. It’s just as hard on the animal to be removed from a home.

"There are feelings associated with pets," Dr. Garcia-Ibáñez said. "The Japanese did a study and found when you lock eyes with an animal, oxytocin is released in both the human and the pet. So, there is kind of a love relationship.”

It can take up to a year to get your house completely clear of a pet allergen. Dr. Garcia-Ibáñez says if you still want that furry family member, don’t let them sleep on your bed, and limit where they go in the home.

Dr. Garcia-Ibáñez and his team an oral treatment for allergies, called Circava System Therapy. They named it that because you take it at night, so the medication courses through the body while you sleep. There are changes to your immune system during that time.