JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An overcrowding crisis at Jacksonville's Animal Care and Control could shorten the number of days animals have to be adopted before they are euthanized.

"If they become our property within three days, that means they belong to us and we can dispose of them in a positive way, for example rescue, foster care or adoption," said Animal Care and Control division chief Fred Forbes.

The city is considering a proposal that would reduce holding periods for stray and owner-surrendered animals at the animal control facilities by four days.

Forbes said the change could pave the way for faster adoptions, but Leona Sheddan, of the Jacksonville Humane Society, disagreed.

"The change from seven days to three days in our opinion is not lengthy enough time to give families the opportunity to find their pets," Sheddan said.

Forbes told Channel 4 the proposal is geared toward stray animals not animals who may have accidentally escaped from a loving home.

"If you care about your pet and if you're looking for it, you'll find it within two days," Forbes said.

Laure Dockery recently adopted a dog from animal control. She said she could understand both sides of the issue.

"Seven days isn't a lot of time, but if you go inside and see the amount of animals and you see the amount of staff, you can understand it. It's not an easy decision," Dockery said.

Animal control said if the proposal is approved, the soonest it could go into effect will be early this summer.

The Jacksonville City Council will have the final say on whether the proposal is approved.