‘The math doesn’t math’: Capital Humane Society’s pet intake tops 600 in July, a 6-year high

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Capital Humane Society is almost capped out right now as it experiences its busiest month in six years.

So far in the month of July, there have been 635 pets surrendered, which is on pace for the most since August 2019.

According to the humane society, the adoption rate is doing really well, with 336 pets being adopted this month.

But it’s still being outpaced by the intake.

“Six hundred-plus have come in; we still have another 400 at the shelter,” Executive Director Matt Madcharo said. “The math doesn’t math, so to speak.”

Madcharo points to a couple of reasons why the humane society is seeing this spike: a lack of pet-friendly housing and rising costs.

“The reason pets are being given up varies,” he said. “But we are seeing quite a few being surrendered due to housing issues, whether they’ve lost their home, or been evicted, or their landlord won’t allow them to have a pet.”

According to a Bank of America Institute report, since 2019, costs for pet care have gone up.

Vet bills and grooming have risen 42%. and the cost of goods like food and treats have increased by over 20%.

That’s not including pet insurance.

“The way inflation and the costs of living has gotten recently, it’s gotten harder,” said Cassie Frehse, who was at the humane society on Wednesday to adopt a pet. “Maybe four years ago it would have been different than today.”

Madcharo said the extra influx is putting a strain on the staff.

“It’s stressful for staff,” he said. “Obviously they care about the pets, they care about their jobs and the mission the organization has. When you’re dealing with this number of pets, and basically every kennel being full, it’s a lot more work for them. A lot more pets to take care of; it’s noisier and louder.

Frehse and her husband lost their pet dog a couple months ago and just moved to Lincoln.

They said the overcrowding is part of the reason they were at the humane society.

“After losing our dog in May, we didn’t expect to be here right away,” Frehse said. “But seeing that they were in need and full on space right now, it just kind of brought to light that maybe we could come and adopt and help one pet.”

The Capital Humane Society has an adoption discount right now that will be extended through Sunday. Adoption fees by all pets are reduced by 50%.

It also has a foster care program, in which all supplies for pet care are included. One hundred pets are currently in that program.