NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Animal control officers are choosing not to intervene or arrest people suspected of hoarding animals because they said there is no more room at the shelter.

Video: Shelter Overflowing With Rescued Animals

Metro Animal Control said as soon as one animal is gone, another is taking its place.

"Don't let the empty spots fool you, because they will be filled up by this afternoon," said Metro Animal Control Officer Billy Biggs.

More than 300 animals are filling the cages at the Metro shelter. Currently the animals are being housed anywhere space is available, spilling into the hallway and also outside.

Metro Animal Control seized a variety of pets from a west Nashville home two weeks ago. But other complaints have been coming in about other animal hoarding occurring at possibly three other homes in Nashville.

The problem is that animal control officers are waiting for space to be free at the shelter before they raid the homes.

Another thing that has caused overcrowding is that adoptions are down. Animal control said it's partly due to the tough economy.

In the meantime, animal control will be working to free up every bit of space, but that could take sometime, especially until the current animal cruelty cases go to court.

"It kind of puts us in a bind. All of those animals are considered state evidence until they are resolved in court," said Biggs.

Animal control has checked out all three of the hoarding complaints. They said if any of those animals are in any immediate danger, they will remove them, even if it means putting animal cages in the front lobby of the shelter.