Inflation is forcing some Iowans to surrender their pets to local animal shelters. Julie Skellenger is the manager of Kiya Koda Humane Society in Indianola. Tuesday before 11 a.m. she received three calls from people who wanted to give up their pets. That call occurs so often that they have almost no space left in the shelter to take in those animals. our facility, so if we don’t have the room, we have to tell them no,” Skellenger said. She says there is also an increase in the number of dogs being dumped in Warren County. “They will wear a collar, sometimes they wear even a suit of armor. They look like they’ve been taken care of,” Skellenger said. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa sent KCCI a statement saying, “When the economy is spinning, they struggle even more. Access to affordable pet-friendly housing and veterinary care is now more common, out of reach for many people, so without pet support services in downtown Iowa, even more pets would be turned over to shelters and rescue services. Our website www.arl-iowa.org and other area shelters for help.” Skellenger says more and more pet owners are entering the shelter asking for help. “They’re ashamed and apologetic and say they just can’t afford the cost of the food right now, so we’re helping them out,” she said. Kiya Koda Humane Society itself is having a hard time keeping up with costs. Their vet bills are over $6,000 a month. “Our vet costs have skyrocketed because of the number of animals coming in,” Skellenger said. “We have to get them ready for adoption and it costs us money.” If you’re struggling to afford pet food, Skellenger says you should look for pet food banks in your area. More headlines:
Inflation is forcing some Iowans to surrender their pets to local animal shelters.
Julie Skellenger is the manager of Kiya Koda Humane Society in Indianola. Tuesday before 11 a.m. she received three calls from people who wanted to give up their pets.
That call is becoming so common that they have almost no space left in the shelter to take in those animals.
“We only have so much space in our facility, so if we don’t have the space, we have to tell them no,” Skellenger said.
She says there has also been an increase in the number of dogs being dumped in Warren County.
“They’ll wear a collar, sometimes even a harness. They look like they’ve been taken care of,” Skellenger said.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa sent KCCI a statement saying: “Pet owners struggle with the cost of caring for pets all year round, so when the economy turns, they struggle even more. Access to affordable pet-friendly housing and veterinary care are now more often out of reach for many people, so without pet support services “In central Iowa, even more pets would be donated to shelters and rescues. Check our website www.arl-iowa.org and other shelters in the area for help.”
Skellenger says more and more pet owners are entering the shelter asking for help.
“They are ashamed and apologizing and saying they just can’t afford the cost of the food right now, so we’re helping them,” she said.
Kiya Koda Humane Society itself is having a hard time keeping up with costs. Their vet bills are over $6,000 a month.
“Our vet costs have skyrocketed because of the number of animals coming in,” Skellenger said. “We have to get them ready for adoption and that costs us money.”
If you’re struggling to afford pet food, Skellenger says you should look for pet food banks in your area.
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