Animal rescues and shelters see more owners surrendering their pets

KEARNEY, NEB. — Central Nebraska animal rescue shelters are in a crisis, taking in more potential pets and not enough owners adopting them.

Two-year-old Koda and Lyndi are pets who were surrendered by their owners.

K9Freekz Dog Rescue founders Joni and Heather say right after the pandemic is when they saw a jump in pet parents surrendering their animals.

And the phones to surrender haven’t stopped ringing.

“We get a lot of calls, we get a lot of emails, text messages, people messaging us on Facebook," said Joni Fitzpatrick, co-founder of K9Freekz Dog Rescue.

In just the last year, they’ve fostered over 200 dogs, not all of them were surrendered pets, but they say a good chunk was.

The Good Life Rescue Co-Founder Amy Fuqua says she’s also taking in more surrendered pets.

“Oh my gosh, we get a ton of calls a day. I know we get at least ten just in an average day. It’s hard because we only take dogs if we have a home for them," said Fuqua.

When they don’t, those animals are waitlisted or boarded at a nearby shelter.

Amy says there isn’t just one reason an owner may say goodbye to their four-legged best friend.

“Lately it has been just a mixed bag of things, just a lot of people who have behavioral issues and have trouble working through it with a pet and so their only option is to surrender their pets," said Fuqua.

In a 2022 survey by Pet Care site Rover, more than 90% of pet parents say they are spending more on their animal’s necessities, forcing some pet owners to make tough decisions.

Dog mom Shawna says she couldn’t imagine her life not being a rescue parent

“It gives them another chance at life and a chance to be in a great home where they can thrive and succeed," said Shawna Hammond, a rescue dog mom.

And despite the trend, rescues and shelters are continuing to save countless lives and provide new beginnings for furry friends.

To find out ways you can become a rescue pet owner, click or tap here.