LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — The Lexington Humane Society is asking for help as they continue to see a spike in the number of animals that need a forever home.

Their facility is at full capacity again. According to the World Animal Foundation, almost 6.3 million animals enter animal shelters every year, and only 4.1 million are adopted. Factors such as understaffing at shelters and animal transfers have put shelters across the nation at full capacity—”their usual state.”

In an effort to make space, the Lexington Humane Society has dropped its adoption fees to as low as $25. October is also Pit Bull Awareness Month, and LHS is using this as an opportunity to educate people and celebrate the breed.

Shelter volunteers said many of their dogs have been at the shelter for more than a year, with pit bulls and pit mixes consistently having the longest stays and making up approximately 75% of their shelter population. 22 of the 35 dogs who have been at the Lexington Humane Society for over 100 days are pit bulls or pit mixes.

“Unfortunately, they just get such a bad reputation and we’re doing all that we can to squash that, educate people, and advocate for them because they’re such a good breed. They’re such a good family dog. They’re happy dogs, but they tend to stay with us for a little bit longer than the other breeds,” Meghan Hawkins, LHS’s Director of Community Engagement, said. “We’re doing what we we can to encourage people to look beyond that and look beyond the blockheads and see the giant hearts there underneath that.”

All adoptions include spay-neuter, microchip with registration, up-to-date vaccinations, a free vet exam, and more. But if you aren’t in a position to adopt, there are other ways to help. Shelter leaders say donations are always appreciated.

For more information about adoptable dogs and how to donate, click here.