A little perspective on humane society and rescue staffing shortages.

As a trained human resources professional I completely understand the struggles they are facing. Nonprofits don't pay well and people burn out fast making staffing harder for much vital positions. This can be seen by the increased wait times and lack of department services being offered. HR typically takes all the burden when it's not their fault because they don't make the rules, they just have to enforce them. If an organization such as the infamous NHS’s reputation is running their business in unsustainable ways that is another issue entirely that needs to address the issues from the executive level.

It's a tough landscape, but they are right too. Pet owners if able can to step up and commit to their animals through the good and bad rather than surrendering their pets when behavioral problems get tough.

NHS and other animal shelters are doing the best they can right now and COVID has been tough for everyone. Everyone reflects mostly on their own issues but we should all practice and look outward to include the entire community and step up to help if we can. This is how we get through it, by working together.

NHS expects the spay neuter clinic to open in 2023. This should help alleviate some of the problems we are experiencing today.

How can you help?

• foster animals through a nonprofit (all medical and food expenses are provided by them)

• when dealing with behavioral problems there is so much research readily available online and professionals ready to help with your pet (i.e. Jackson Galaxy, Allison Helps Cats, NHS behavioral hotline)

• suppot a nonprofit by donating pet food for their pet pantries (pet pantries are free and available to pet owners struggling financially to afford food for their pets)

• help your friends or family who need to rehome a pet rather than surrendering to a rescue right away (NHS has a rehoming facebook group)

• spay or neuter your pets as soon as possible (when kittens and puppies reach 2lbs)

Low cost spay and neuter clinics in the area

• Animal Spay and Neuter Clinic (Omaha)

• All Feline Hospital (Lincoln) - Referral based

• NHS spay/neuter clinic once reopening in 2023 (Omaha)

• Fremont County Veterinary Clinic (Fremont)

• Belmont Veterinary Center (Lincoln) - Referral based

• Wachal Pet Health Center (Lincoln) - Referral based

The article that inspired this post: https://omaha.com/news/local/rescue-groups-feel-the-burden-as-nebraska-humane-society-sends-away-pets-given-up-by/article_a5dc0d3e-5bba-11ed-ab5f-47fc26c00c32.html