LANCASTER, Pa. — “In my neighborhood, there’s a lot of strays and it’s getting ready to get cold and we have no idea where they’re going to go. And I hate to see it because they’re going to suffer,” said Danielle Christy, Humane Pennsylvania visitor.
This is why Humane Pennsylvania is waiving adoption fees and offering free animal care packages for pets over 8 years old.
The initiative is taking place during National Adopt a Senior Pet Month. However, Carl Miner, the CEO of Humane Pennsylvania says this work is necessary all year round.
“Sometimes we do get animals that have been injured, they’ve been abused. That’s rare but when that happens, we get them better, we make them happy and healthy, and we put them up for adoption. So, adopters really get a chance to save an animal’s life and improve their own,” said Minor.
One of his staff members says it’s harder to get senior cats home because of their age.
“The baby that a lot of people are coming in for and that everybody wants, that’s that senior cat now and a lot of people don’t realize that,” said Grace Heuyard, Humane Pennsylvania staff member.
Miner says one of the major obstacles that shelters deal with is short-staffing.
“One of the biggest frustrations in animal welfare right now is actually just having the staff to do it. We have a wide variety of needs and skill sets that we can take advantage of that people often don’t even realize that we do,” said Minor.
But shelter workers say while working at a shelter is hard, it's also rewarding.
“It is hard on you but it’s rewarding because you get to meet these new animals, and see how they are, and connect with them,” said Moe Rivera, a Humane Pennsylvania staff member.
It's a gift that Rivera says all animals deserve.
“Like your parents, when they are old, whether you’re putting them in a home or you’re taking care of them, you want their last few years to be beautiful just like animals want their last few years to be beautiful,” said Rivera.
Humane Pennsylvania is offering coupons and veterinary programs that offer reduced pricing, to encourage people to give animals a forever home.
The shelter is also actively hiring and receiving donations and help from volunteers.
For more information about how you can help, visit Humane Pennsylvania’s website.