Humane society sees largest spike in animal intakes in recent years
The Butler County Humane Society is taking in more dogs and cats this summer, while also receiving fewer donations that help the shelter care for its temporary furry residents.
Cari Ciancio, executive director of the humane society, said summers are difficult for many animal shelters, and the 6% increase in cat intakes and 8% increase in dog intakes are the biggest jumps the county has seen in recent years.
The humane society canceled its June pet supplies distribution because of a lack of supplies, and this week put out a request for donations on social media to build back up its stock.
“Between having to feed more, we're having a hard time keeping up, and we're not getting as many donations,” Ciancio said. “We do have to turn away some animals because we just don't have the space.”
Despite the challenges with supplies and shelter space, the shelter is benefiting from a second round of waived fees for pet adoptions through a national nonprofit. The BISSELL Pet Foundation sponsors pet adoptions at shelters across the country by reimbursing them for each pet adopted. Ciancio said the first Empty the Shelters campaign in May helped drive adoptions, and this second campaign, which lasts until July 31, has also helped rotate animals through the Butler County Humane Society.
“We are seeing animals being adopted faster that way because it's basically free adoptions,” Ciancio said.
Although animals are being rotated into and out of the shelter at a decent pace, Ciancio said the humane society could use donations to care for the animals that stay at the shelter a little longer. She said the humane society uses pet supplies and food to keep the animals happy and comfortable during their time at the shelter, and monetary donations can be used in a multitude of ways, including for vet treatment of the animals.
“Money is always nice because it allows us the freedom to get what we need in that moment,” Ciancio said. “It's honestly just an easy thing to have access to get whatever we need at that time.”
Ciancio said people who don’t have the money to donate to the Butler County Humane Society can help out instead by volunteering in the shelter or being a foster home for dogs and cats. According to Ciancio, some donations of supplies given to the humane society are passed on to foster homes, to help the people who volunteer to take in animals.
“Fostering is so important, especially over the summer because it makes room for other animals that need space,” Ciancio said. “Anything given to us, it kind of goes back out to the people who foster because we don't want them to take on the cost.”
For more information on the Empty the Shelters campaign, visit bissellpetfoundation.org.
