Those helping man’s best friend could use a little of theirown.

The Brookhaven Animal Rescue League is overflowing with healthy,friendly dogs and cats looking to share a little love. Ed Gove, aleague volunteer, said the problem is that there are too many.

The holding pens for dogs was built to contain between 25-30adult dogs. It now presently holds more than 50 adult dogs and 25puppies.

“It’s not a health risk or anything,” Gove said. “The leaguejust can’t afford it. No one in the rescue league is being paid,and no money comes from state or federal sources. We have to fundit all.”

The league, which does not put down any dogs unless medicallynecessary, is using more than 1,000 pounds of dog food a week tofeed their guests. Local businesses routinely donate food to theleague, Gove said, but not in the quantity needed now.

The problem has been developing for weeks. Late spring and earlysummer is often the busiest time for animal rescue leagues becauseit is when the most puppies are traditionally born. Many of thesepuppies have been left at the league.

Gove asked those who are considering dropping off their unwantedpets or puppies to do so during the week when there is someone atthe site to properly admit the pet.

All animals being admitted to the league must have shots and avet inspection before being allowed into the general population.Gove said this prevents the spread of diseases and also allows themto supervise the dogs for possible conflicts with others that wouldresult in a fight.

The number of cats and kittens is also posing a problem, hesaid. Felines are not kept at the league holding facility, but areboarded with local veterinarians.

“Please do not leave them at the dog pens,” Gove said.

People wishing to drop off a cat or kitten need to contact amember of the league first, Gove said. With league approval, theycan then contact a local vet, set an appointment, and drop thefeline off there.

According to veterinarian Dr. Dianne Watson, picking up a dog orcat from the rescue league is an economical, as well as charitable,way to find a loving pet.

When adopting a pet from the league they ask for a $25 donationto help cover costs, Watson said, but the league itself has alreadyspent about $100 on that dog in medical costs alone.

When a pet enters the league, it is taken to a vet where it isvaccinated, checked and treated for heartworms and intestinalparasites and, if old enough, spayed or neutered.

“It just makes good sense to get a pet through them,” Watsonsaid.