NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The next Adopt-A-Pet event is Saturday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the EAGLE Media studios with the Hutchinson Animal Shelter. Michaela Schommer with the shelter said the events this year have really helped get some pets into new homes, as about 20 pets have been adopted from the four previous events. Schommer notes that the shelter remains at capacity at this point.
"That's not a normal thing," Schommer said. "I would say, for the past year and a half, it's become the normal for every animal shelter across the United States. There's a whole combination of things, a cocktail of things that are just creating an environment of people not able to keep their pets. Some of it is COVID. People, during COVID, they adopted a lot of animals and they were home, working from home."
Going back to the office can be emotionally tough for owners and pets.
"They don't want to leave their pets alone," Schommer said. "The pet has become so accustomed to having their person all of the time, that now that they are leaving the home, they are seeing a lot of behavior problems. Many people, especially due to the economy, can't afford behavior training or modification, as we, of course, would advise and hope someone would put into their dogs or cats."
It is costing more and more for the shelter to keep the animals it takes in.
"Personally, I feel like it's 10 to 15% in the cost of our food," Schommer said. "The cost of medical care is increasing. Medicines are increasing. Then, that trickles down. Our bottom line is, we have got to get these animals spayed and neutered and healthy and fixed and into new homes. If new homes can't afford pets, they're not adopting. We're really struggling."
Even if you don't have the money to adopt on Saturday, the shelter would take monetary donations to help with those expenses, as well.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.