NORFOLK, Neb.- Everyone deserves a loving home, and the animals at the Animal Shelter of Northeast Nebraska are hoping to leave their overcrowded one for a new, forever home.
 
Shelter Director Lisa Stapp says they’re experiencing their lowest adoption numbers in five years. The low numbers have created an issue of overcrowding, and she says other shelters in Nebraska are facing the same problem.
 
Stapp wants folks to know that despite the large numbers, animals are still getting the care they need.
 
“If they’re a stray animal, we have to take them in, and there are times we’re overcrowded,” Stapp said. “We have kennels underneath the counters in the back, we’ve got animals doubled up, but we have to make sure that with the staff and the kennels we have that we’re not neglecting them. They’re still getting the proper care.”
 
The care ranges from a tortoise named Magnus getting his shell healed to dogs like Maddy, who needs heart-worm treatment.
 
Stapp knows that medicine for animals can be expensive, so the shelter performs a full checkup on every animal before adoption to help reduce costs.
 
“Your going to get a much better deal adopting through an animal shelter because they’re fully vetted, they're spayed or neutered, they're microchipped, dewormed, tested for everything, and fully vetted all for a much much cheaper price,” Stapp said.
 
Stapp says the shelter in 2023 had 970 adoptions, this year they’ll be lucky to have 700. Nationally shelters have reported 2.8 million adoptions which is a 4 percent decrease.
 
“The deal you’re getting at an animal shelter any animal shelter not only helping you financially, but it's also helping the animals that need a second chance,” she said. “Basically, give us a chance, give the animals a second chance and you’ll probably come in and find the love of your life.”
 
The shelter is also running a name-your-price Adoption fee for the month to help dogs find their forever home.