WARREN, Ohio - The City of Warren now has a dedicated hotline for animal control issues.

Healthy Hearts & Paws Project President and CEO Jason Cooke says his organization was contracted to act as the designated animal control hotline for the city. Cooke says the city has been without animal control for at least six months.

Cooke says the hotline will allow for 24/7 access to assistance for residents, as well as a way to educate people on the city's animal ordinances and how to be a good pet owner.

"Our shelter is constantly running above capacity, so if we don't take those necessary steps, we'll be completely inundated with dogs and we won't be able to help anybody," Cooke said.

In addition to animal control, the shelter will also be holding pet food giveaways twice a month. These will be announced on the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project's Facebook page where people can sign up for those giveaways.

The hotline is available 24/7 and can be reached at 330-646-4618. More urgent animal control matters should be reported to Trumbull County's non-emergency dispatch line, which is 330-675-2730.