While most stores can't keep hot items on their shelves this holiday season, the situation is starkly different at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter.

Staff are reporting the shelter is overrun with pooches.

'We are definitely overcrowded right now,' spokesperson Tracy Smythe said Thursday afternoon.

The nine-year-old shelter has seen an influx of stray dogs turned in by residents and from the city pound.

Staff say they're also caring for a large number of puppies.

They are being kept in rooms normally reserved for cats, and staff are putting puppies in cages together. Virtually all available space is being used to store dogs and puppies.

In spite of the shelter's overcrowding, it is not granting adoptions between today and Dec. 27.

This is because staff believe a dog or puppy should not be adopted as a spontaneous Christmas gift, but rather as a new addition to a home as a result of much time and consideration.

'People can still come in during regular hours and request one,' said Smythe. 'They just won't be picking them up until after (the 27th).'

As for the present situation, staff aren't sure where to turn.

'We have no idea what to do,' said Smythe.

The same influx occurred last year during the holidays, she said, and staff found they just had to wait it out.

In the mean time, the shelter is looking for volunteer dog walkers to help ease the workload, and for donations of puppy food.