Input costs. They’re up for growers, producers and processors for essential items like fertilizer, feed, labor and fuel. It’s pinching agriculture and other establishments in rural communities, including humane societies.
Matt Mullen is the executive director of the Green County Humane Society. He says the shelter is doing well on feed thanks to generous donors, but veterinary costs have jumped. Mullen explains that costs of medicine and labor have gone up for veterinarians, and that cost has trickled down to shelters.
“Every animal that comes through our doors needs some sort of medical attention,” he says. “We have a lot of animals that need surgery. We’re not just dropping off a family cat. We’re dropping off 17.”
Despite inflationary pressure, Green County Humane Society has not raised the cost of adopting animals. That may change after the shelter develops its 2023 budget.
At the height of the pandemic, the demand for cats and dogs skyrocketed while folks were stuck at home. That has since slowed down, but enough to worry Mullen. If your interested in helping out your local shelter, he says volunteers or ‘foster parents’ are always wanted. Or give your shelter a call to see what they need.
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