At Lake Animal Hospital in Storm Lake, Iowa, a critical situation is unfolding. The clinic, doubling as an informal area shelter, is buckling under the pressure of caring for an increasing number of strays, to the point of risking financial insolvency.

The severity of the problem was highlighted by the clinic's office manager, Charlee Hinds, in a desperate Facebook post on January 18, stating the clinic's inability to take in more animals. With every kennel occupied by nine dogs and six cats, and a noticeable surplus of large homeless dogs, the situation is dire. The clamor of these animals in the metal and concrete confines of the clinic is a testament to their distress.