BLACKFOOT, ID (KIFI) – Some local animal shelters are starting to see a disturbing trend with the pets entering their shelters.
What are the trends?
Cases of pets being abandoned by their owners are increasing. Blackfoot Animal Shelter is particularly affected by this abandonment tactic. Several collared dogs have arrived at the shelter in recent months, but none have yet been adopted.
It is likely that he was abandoned or ran away, and no one came looking for him. Many of the dogs currently in shelters have been surrendered to their owners, and when shelters have to turn dogs away, shelters end up seeing those same dogs abandoned outside. One such animal was found lying under a tree in a cemetery.
“It's really hard for shelters to turn people away, but when we're overcrowded, there's nothing you can do,” said Camryn Huseby, president of the Blackfoot Animal Shelter.
Although the overcrowding situation at evacuation centers is improving overall, the situation is still a bit “rough.''
“Right now they're in the shelter. We have 29 dogs and 26 kennels,” Huseby said.
Huseby said if an animal needs to be rehomed and the shelter doesn't have the space, there are other options available.
“The important thing is to find something early on to help your children so you don’t have to abandon them when you realize you can’t take care of them. Find out if someone is willing to pick it up and find a better place to go instead of just leaving it alone and hoping someone will pick it up or someone will pick it up. Please,” Huseby said.
Huseby reminds potential pet owners to remember that it is a lifelong commitment and will consume the next 12 to 15 years of their lives.
It's hard to say what's causing the increase in pets, but lifestyle changes and economic hardship since the pandemic have played a role.
