Animal shelters see increased returns

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – New pet adopters in central Nebraska are creating problems for local animal shelters when they bring back their furry friends after doing the right amount of work. Staff at the Central Nebraska Humane Society said this had been a problem for a while, but over the past six months it seemed to have gotten a bit out of hand.

“Now that life is getting semi-normal with COVID, everything is coming back as it should be, there is an increase in returns. And it’s just not our refuge, it’s all rescues across the country, ”said Miquelle Levander, who is social media and public relations for the Central Nebraska Humane Society.

These abandonments not only had a negative impact on the shelters, they led them to make difficult decisions for the animals. Levander said ethnicization rates were on the rise and blamed it on people who don’t give their new pets time to adjust to their owner’s lifestyle.

Anne Halbert, founder of Start Over Rover in Hastings, said they were also aware of the issue.

“We regularly get calls from people who have a pet that they thought was a good fit, they found it online, they found it through Facebook, but it doesn’t work,” said Halbert.

She went on to say they would get 10 to 15 calls a day from people wanting to give up their pets – and after the vacation ended, she said it only got worse.

“In February, we start to see calls – a huge influx of calls for people wanting to give up animals they received as gifts for the holidays, they don’t have time, they have too much energy, all of those different things, ”Halbert said.

Levander said it was never easy for staff to welcome a pet to a shelter and most importantly, it wasn’t a simple adjustment for the animal.

“It’s really hard for us to watch when the animals come back,” she said. “Even when they’re only gone for 24 hours, they instantly get a taste of what a house, a bed, a couch, not a cement kennel floor is like. And when they come back, they’re depressed and you see a difference almost immediately.

If you are looking to adopt, Halbert advised people to remember the great commitment and responsibility that comes with it.

Levander and Halbert both suggest, if you plan to abandon your pet soon after adoption to give it time to adjust, and if the animal does not bond with you immediately, keep in mind. keep in mind that it may take up to three months to become completely comfortable in a new environment.

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