Cape Girardeau animal shelter needs help

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - A local animal shelter is facing the effects of inflation.

Jenn Farmer is the operations coordinator at Southeast Missouri Pets in Cape Girardeau. She said the shelter is in need of donations and volunteers.

“We run on donations, since we’re a non-profit. You know, those donations help, they go to a good cause. It’s been a little bit of a struggle, you know, this new building isn’t paid for yet either so we’re still paying this off and dealing with inflation and the rise of prices,” Farmer explained.

She stressed that adopting a pet is an important decision and should be taken seriously.

“It’s not just a Christmas present, or a birthday present, it’s not just, ‘oh, here’s a cute puppy.’ It is a lifetime commitment,” Farmer said.

According to Farmer, there has been a slight increase in pet owners returning their pets.

“Owner surrenders are the worst part of people coming in saying, ‘we just can’t afford the animal anymore,’ ‘we can’t afford the upkeep,’ the heartworm medicine,’” she continued.

They recommended getting pet insurance to help with any large, unexpected medical bills.