The Humane Society of Marshall County is facing an alarming rise in dog surrenders, a trend attributed to the growing financial strain on pet owners amid soaring living costs.
Donna Smith, the President of the Humane Society’s board of directors, reported that the shelter currently houses 19 dogs, with 15 of them being puppies aged 14 weeks or younger. While cat adoptions have surged, thanks in part to a new collaboration with the Tortitude Cat Cafe in Paducah, dog adoptions have seen a marked decline. Smith attributes this to the higher costs of caring for dogs and the additional training required.
The shelter has also observed a troubling spike in dog surrenders. Typically, 5-7 dogs are surrendered each month, but this figure jumped to 14 in January and 17 in February.
Smith explained the emotional toll this situation takes on the animals. “Surrendered dogs are confused and grieving. They wonder why they’ve been left behind,” she said. “Shelters are often noisy and chaotic, and for a dog that’s been in a quiet home, the change is overwhelming.” She added that while the shelter always works to find foster homes, the increasing number of surrenders puts significant pressure on resources.
Some of the puppies at the Humane Society have been waiting for adoption since Christmas. In response to the growing challenges, the shelter launched a pet food pantry to assist pet owners struggling with the rising cost of pet care. Smith praised the Marshall County community for its continued support.
“The cost of living has made pet ownership unaffordable for many,” Smith noted. “With rising utility bills, gas prices, and groceries, it’s becoming harder for people to manage the financial burden of caring for a pet. Some are also being forced to move to apartments that don’t allow pets, adding to the difficulties.”
Despite understanding these financial pressures, Smith urged pet owners to reach out for help before resorting to surrender. “We are here to help,” she emphasized. “If we can’t assist directly, we will connect people to other resources so they can keep their pets. Our goal is to keep pets in their homes, where they can live long, happy lives.”
For those considering adopting but concerned about costs, Smith advised looking for animals that are already spayed or neutered, which can save on medical expenses. She also recommended Missing Bella, a Paducah-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming pets.
Smith concluded that those unable to adopt or foster can still support the shelter by donating money or volunteering their time, which remains crucial as the demand for help continues to grow.
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