Meriden — The Meriden Humane Society sees a bit of a flurry of pet adoptions each holiday season, but board vice president Karen Annis said the number of pets has increased over the course of 2022. . Surrender.
“Animal shelters are very full right now, and like I said, there’s been a lot of unforeseen surrenders where people literally throw animals away,” Annis said. No…we are doing our best to contain endangered animals.”
As of Dec. 28, there were 375 adoptions in 2022, Annis said, so the average is just over 30 per month. Adoptions fluctuate throughout the year. Annis said there were about 37 adoptions between Thanksgiving this year and his December 27th. This is slightly more than in 2021, when he had 35 pet adoptions between Thanksgiving and his December 27th.
“It always feels like there are a little more animal adoptions around the holidays, so if you decide to become a foster parent, you probably want to bring animals into your home before the holidays. It’s around the holiday season,” said Anise.
But Annis said the Meriden Human Society does not allow adopting animals to surprise someone while on vacation.
“We always want the whole family and the whole family to be involved in the adoption,” said Anis. I certainly don’t want you to buy it as a gift, just because I want everyone to have a chance to agree and make family decisions.”
Despite a slight increase in adoptions during the holiday season, staff and volunteer supervisor Julie Rogers said there is a “long waiting list” of people applying to hand over animals.
“I work in an office and I literally get multiple calls every day from people who simply want to drop off their animals,” Rogers said.
Rogers said he suspects some people find it difficult financially to care for cats and dogs.
“The bills are definitely higher than they’ve been in the past, and sometimes that’s a struggle for people,” Rogers said. “I get a lot of calls from people who don’t plan ahead.”
Rogers says they may call in elderly relatives who are no longer able to care for their pets or whose families move and cannot bring their pets to their new homes.
“People are probably overwhelmed with life in general,” said Rogers.
“We are bursting at the seams”
Rogers said the increase in animals being handed over has made the job more stressful.
“Many cats roam freely because cage space is limited, but some cats have to be caged,” Rogers said. , the dog must obviously be kept in a kennel.”
Rogers said it would be even more difficult if people showed up at the Humane Society wanting to hand over the animal without calling ahead.
“So when people show up and say, ‘We can’t keep this animal,’ when cage or kennel space isn’t available, it’s definitely a stressful interaction,” Rogers said. “I’m trying to understand what I can do to help animals, but not hurt animals that I already own… There’s a lot to deal with.”
That’s why workers are stressed, Rogers said, especially because they want to help every animal that walks through the door.
“It stresses me out because I want to do the right thing with animals, but I also know we have limited resources,” Rogers said. ”
how to help
Through December 31st, the Meriden Humane Society held its annual Pawliday Challenge, collecting donations until the shelter reached its $15,000 goal.
“We have several generous donors who have pledged $15,000 to our shelter,” Annis said.
Monetary donations support the shelter with veterinary bills, Rogers said.
“Like bills for review, the cost of review for individual pet owners is increasing, and so is it for us,” Rogers said. “…if an animal needs surgery or special medical attention, we do it for them. So it definitely comes with a high price tag.”
Donations of supplies are also welcome, and Rogers said people can see the shelter’s wishlist on its website.
You are also encouraged to spread the ways you can donate to the Meriden Humane Society.
“It’s the little things like whether people like our Facebook page and share posts about animals in need of adoption,” Rogers said. “If people can’t do more, it helps spread the word, because you never know if you’ll reach someone who might be able to adopt an animal.”
jsimms@record-journal.com203-317-2279Twitter: @jessica_simms99
