Local Humane Society Working To Keep Owners From Surrendering Pets

CARVER COUNTY, Minn. (WCCO) -- Every year, thousands of families have to surrender their cat or dog due to circumstances beyond their control, and one Twin Cities organization wants to change that.

The Carver-Scott Humane Society has launched a program called Fur Keeps with the goal of preventing the cycle of pet surrender/rescue.

There's no denying the connection most pet owners have to their pet.

"They're very important. It's very hard to separate from them. If we leave them longer than 24 hours, I'm not comfortable with that," said Johanna Debuhr.

Together since college, Debuhr considers her Siamese cats, George and Chloe, more like family than furry companions.

"When I'm lonely, they're there for me," Debuhr said. "They're there for me all the time."

In recent months, health and behavioral problems made caring for her cats a challenge. With mounting veterinarian bills, Debuhr faced a difficult decision of whether she needed to find a new home for her pets.

"I just felt that they needed more attention and care that I couldn't provide for them," she said. "We just couldn't afford these things that we know they need and they have a lot of life left in them."

Debuhr turned to the Carver-Scott Humane Society for help. Executive director Mandi Wyman introduced Debuhr to the organization's Fur Keeps program.

"You shouldn't have to surrender your pet just because you need extra dog food or appointment at the vet," Wyman said.

Since Fur Keeps started this fall, the program has helped six families keep their pets by offering various resources from veterinarian assistance to behavior resources. The program works specifically to offer help before a family gets to the point of surrendering their pet.

"It doesn't take hundreds of dollars, sometimes, they need advice, resources or information they may not have had before," Wyman said.

Veterinarians helped Debuhr change some of her habits regarding her cats. Advice like changing the litter box several times a day and feeding soft food have already led to health and behavioral improvements with her cats.

"With Carver-Scott's help and reassurance, it really turned it around for us and made it seem more optimistic," Debuhr said.

While future problems may come up, Debuhr knows she now has the support to keep her animals.

"They mean a lot. They're like kids," Debuhr said.

The Fur Keeps program is funded with donations. An anonymous donor has pledged to match up to $25,000 in any contribution made through Nov. 30.

To learn more about the Fur Keeps program, click here.