Pet Surrenders Are Increasing

by Barry KuKes

Bissell Pet Foundation, a partner to many animal shelters nationwide, is hosting an emergency support reduced-fee adoption event for large or senior dogs and adult cats. Due to shelters across the nation experiencing full kennels and staffing shortages, they have responded to the call for help. The emergency adoption event ends August 22 and will be at Halifax Humane Society at 2364 LPGA Blvd., Daytona Beach.

I don’t usually promote an event that HHS is having because this column is supposed to be informative and educational and not used for promotional purposes, but folks, we are in dire straits. As noted above, Bissell has stepped up to help over 400 shelters nationwide because, like us, they too are at capacity and dealing with staffing shortages. Bissell Pet Foundation subsidizes the adoption fees making $5 adoption fees possible. We owe a great deal to Bissell for helping us with their generosity.

Why are so many shelters at capacity and short on staff? Even though the pandemic numbers continue to rise, people are returning to their normal routines and going back to their places of employment. Many are also traveling again for their jobs, so they are no longer home to care for the cat, dog, or rabbit they adopted a year ago. The solution for them is to surrender the pet to the animal shelter.

Why are so many shelters short on staff? Many organizations and businesses need employees, and thus the job market is very competitive. In-creased wages, sign-on bonuses, and other incentives make the job market a job-seekers market. HHS has held one job fair and has to fill one of our 21 job openings. Being a non-profit that receives no financial assistance from local, state, or federal governments, we cannot compete with for-profit businesses with deep pockets. Still, we can offer excellent benefits and a rewarding life experience helping homeless animals.

If you know anyone looking for a gratifying job who loves animals, please refer them to Halifax Humane Society or their local shelter. We have a job for them. If you know anyone who would benefit from the love of a loyal and loving pet, please send them our way as well.

I kid and say, “if we could train the animals to do the jobs of the needed staff, our staffing challenge would be resolved,” but alas, this is not the case. The animals need loving homes and dedicated staff to care for them. If you can provide one or the other, or even both, please act now.
Please adopt, don’t shop, and help a shelter in need today.

Barry KuKes is the Community Outreach Director for the Halifax Humane Society. You can reach Barry at 386 .274.4703, ext. 320, or BarryK@halifax humanesociety.org