Pet adoptions are free at NOCO Humane right now due to influx of animals, limited resources

Pet adoptions through NOCO Humane are free for the time being due to a bottleneck in the system caused by limited space, staffing shortages and animal illnesses, according to the animal welfare nonprofit.

NOCO Humane says it is experiencing a 62% increase in the number of pets being cared for compared with a year ago.

The nonprofit is caring for more than 450 animals right now even though almost 400 have been adopted in the past month, according to a Thursday a news release.

“A lack of physical space at our Weld campus is being compounded by staffing shortages and heightened levels of illness,” CEO Judy Calhoun said in a statement. “When a sick animal comes into the shelter and needs to be isolated, it not only requires more space, but it also requires more staff attention and more time in the shelter for that animal to heal. Multiply that by dozens of animals, and the result is a major bottleneck in the system.”

NOCO Humane rebranded last year due to the merger of the Larimer Humane Society and the Humane Society of Weld County. The Weld shelter had been struggling to keep up with demand in the community.

Now the nonprofit provides shelter services for Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Timnath, Wellington, Greeley, Evans, Johnstown, Windsor and Larimer County. It operates two shelters: one in Loveland, 3501 E. 71st St., at and one in Evans, 1620 42nd St.

Now is the time known as kitten and puppy season, when there is an influx of newborn animals.

In addition to adopting a pet, NOCO Humane says there are other ways the public can help:

• If you come across a healthy but stray animal, consider caring for it in our own home while submitting a found animal report at nocohumane.org. The nonprofit will work to reunite animals with their families, and until that happens, pet food and supplies are available for pickup.
• If you need to rehome your pet, consider an alternative to surrendering it to NOCO Humane.
• It's fireworks season, so keep animals secure when fireworks are in use and have your pets microchipped and licensed so if they run away, they can more easily be reunited with owners.

Pet adoptions will be free through the month of July, but licensing fees still apply. NOCO Humane said it might discontinue the offer depending on the number of pet adoptions that take place early on.

Find shelter hours of operation at NOCOHumane.org.