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Recent Animal Shelter Data Shows Significant Increase in Stray Dog Intake; Humane Indiana tops the national trend with 30% more strays cared for Munster, IN, 7/6/2023 – Shelter Animals Count (SAC), the most trusted and current source for animal sheltering data, encourages pet owners to take precautions to keep their pets home and safe, in recognition of National Lost Pet Prevention Month, observed every July. According to SAC’s Industry Trends Dashboard, data from January-May 2023 has shown a 4% increase in stray intake compared to 2022, and an increase of nearly 18% compared to 2021. This trend has been especially dramatic for dogs. Over the past two years, the stray intake rate for dogs has increased significantly across the nation. Data from January-May 2023 shows a 10% increase in stray dog intake compared to 2022, and an increase of 30% compared to 2021. Fortunately, cats saw a 1% decrease in stray intake compared to 2022. For each of the past three years, only about 10% of animals entering shelters are returned to their owners. The need is especially great at Humane Indiana, which has a 30% increase in strays taken into the shelter this year – higher than the nation’s 10% increase. Humane Indiana also leads the community in partnering with local animal control agencies to help stray animals reunite with their families if lost, or find a new home. Jessica Petalas, Humane Indiana Shelter Director, called on the community to help by adopting a pet from Humane Indiana, becoming a HI dog foster parent, or donating to Humane Indiana. “Foster parents – especially for medium-sized dogs and large dogs – help stray animals become socialized and allow us to learn their personality and needs to help them find the right home, while opening up space at the shelter to help even more animals,” said Petalas. “Donations are also essential to support our lifesaving programs.” Information on fostering is available at https://humaneindiana. org/shelter-fostering or by calling 219-922-3811 x 205. Donations can be made at www.humaneindiana.org. Petalas also encouraged owners to ensure their dogs are microchipped in case they become lost, so they can be quickly reunited with their families and kept out of shelters. Humane Indiana’s Clinic offers reduced-cost microchipping for incomeeligible people and all residents of East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, and Merrillville; appointments can be made at 219-922-3811 x 212. “Summer is the busiest time of year for shelters, with increases in kittens and puppies, as well as lost pets who commonly escape their homes or yards during fireworks and other summer festivities,” said Stephanie Filer, Executive Director of Shelter Animals Count. “Shelters are now in their third year of having too many animals and not enough adoptions, especially for dogs, and many shelters are having to make difficult decisions about how to manage limited space. This makes it more important than ever to keep our canine companions home and safe, and out of overburdened shelters.” No matter how careful we are, pets can still get loose, so it’s best to be prepared. Here are tips to help keep pets home and out of shelters: • Make sure your pet is microchipped and wearing a collar with identifying information, including a phone number. This helps them to be quickly and easily reunited with you should they become lost. Microchips are available at a lower cost from Humane Indiana for income-eligible people and residents of East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, and Merrillville – call 219-922-3811 x 212 for an appointment. Make sure tags are current and microchip information is updated with
the veterinarian or shelter that implanted the chip. • Ensure you have current photos of your pet from all angles. These can be used to make flyers and post on neighborhood apps and lost pet pages if the pet gets lost. • If your pet gets lost, start looking in your neighborhood right away. Carry a leash or carrier with you, and make sure to have your cell phone in case someone calls you while you’re out looking. • Call your local shelter and visit their website to learn how to file a lost pet report. Many animal control officers strive to return pets to their owners while still in the neighborhood, avoiding a trip to the shelter. Humane Indiana can be reached at 219-922-3811. Humane Indiana also partners with Petco’s Love Lost on its website, www.humaneindiana.org, which uses facial recognition and a national database of lost pets to reunite lost pets with their families. • Check local social media pages and neighborhood apps and post a photo of your lost pet. These resources are extremely helpful for posting lost and found pets in real-time. Many happy reunions have occurred quickly because of the power of social media. • Visit the shelter the first day if possible, and at least every other day to look for your pet in person. People’s perception of breed and description can vary, so relying on someone who doesn’t know your pet to find it in the shelter may not be effective. • Create posters with a clear photo of your pet, with a brief description and a cell number. Place the flyers around your neighborhood and at any local businesses. • Don’t give up! Lost pets have been found weeks, months or even years after they’ve been lost. • If you find a lost pet, try to find their owners by walking the neighborhood and checking neighborhood apps/social media groups before taking them to a shelter. Many pets are reunited with their owners within minutes or hours without ever leaving the neighborhood. To support the Clinic, Shelter, or Wildlife Center, volunteer, foster, or adopt with Humane Indiana, visit www.humaneindiana.org. To schedule Clinic services, contact 219-922-3811 x 212. About Shelter Animals Count (SAC): SAC is a collaborative, industry-led nonprofit organization formed by a diverse group of animal welfare agencies to create and share The National Database of sheltered animal statistics, providing facts and enabling insights that will improve animal welfare throughout the country. About Humane Indiana (HI): The mission of Humane Indiana is protecting pets, preserving wildlife, and supporting a nurturing connection between animals and people. HI is the largest and longest-running animal wellbeing organization in Northwest Indiana. HI provides lifesaving care reaching 15,000 injured, orphaned, or homeless animals annually. We also serve 30,000 people each year. HI’s programs include shelter and adoption, Estelle Marcus Veterinary Clinic serving low-income people and communities, pet retention programs, shelter transfer partnerships, pet food pantry, spay and neuter services, trap/neuter/restore program for community cats, behavioral training, pet foster care, domestic violence pet partnerships, and wildlife rehabilitation and education center. Learn more at www.humaneindiana.org. Follow HI on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook: Shelter, PAWS Resale, Wildlife.
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