Humane society seeing high intake, seeking donations

The Humane Society of Young County serves a necessary purpose in Graham and Young County as an open intake shelter for animals. The shelter is looking for monetary and supply donations as it is undergoing an increase in the intake of animals.

The nonprofit shelter receives stray animals from around Young County until they can be returned to an owner, adopted, rescued or humanely euthanized. Animals are picked up by the City of Graham Animal Control, Graham Police Department, Young County Sheriff’s Office and Olney Animal Control and brought to the shelter. Along with the animals brought in by those departments, animals are also surrendered by owners to the shelter. The shelter is currently unable to take animals from out of Young County due to the high intake volume at the shelter.

“Generally the highest intake time is Spring/Summer--puppy and kitten season. But there is always an uptick before major holidays--so we saw an increase prior to Thanksgiving and are experiencing another increase at this time headed into Christmas time,” HSYC Director Shelby Brogdon wrote in an email to The Graham Leader. “Sadly, people tend to surrender instead of arranging for boarding or petsitting services when headed out of town or when having family in for the holidays. We have also experienced families surrendering the family pet because they want to bring in a new pet for Christmas. We are also still seeing a lot of kittens coming into the shelter.”

Animals are surrendered to the shelter by scheduling an appointment, filling out the required paperwork and the shelter will ask for a donation to help cover costs associated with caring for the surrendered animal. Brogdon said most people who surrender their pets do not make a donation. She said those considering surrendering should honor the commitment made when they adopted the animal and consult a trainer for issues that arise with that animal.

“Make the dog a family member. Dogs and cats that are indoor with the family tend to do better,” she wrote. “So many surrenders wouldn’t be given up had the family invested in proper training in the beginning.”

For the rest of the story, see the Dec. 8 edition of The Graham Leader.