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Rescue groups feel the burden as Nebraska Humane Society sends away pets given up by owners

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Rescue groups feel the burden as Nebraska Humane Society sends away pets given up by owners

• Marjie Ducey World-Herald Staff Writer
• Nov 6, 2022
• Nov 6, 2022 Updated Oct 30, 2023
• 0

1 of 4

Reign practices shaking her paw with foster parent Allison Wolff. Reign was originally adopted from the Nebraska Humane Society.

• LILY SMITH photos, THE WORLD-HERALD

Marjie Ducey’s new pet, Louie.

• MARJIE DUCEY

One of several full kennel rooms at the Nebraska Humane Society, which has an 86% live release rate.

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Marjie Ducey World-Herald Staff Writer

When a pet up for adoption is pregnant, it can face tough circumstances in finding a forever home.

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Reign rests her head in the lap of her foster parent Allison Wolff of Hands, Hearts and Paws Rescue. The Nebraska Humane Society didn't take Reign back when her new owner expressed concerns about her anxious behavior in her new home. She wasn't spayed by NHS and her new owner discovered she was pregnant.

LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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A dog is fed treats in its kennel at the Nebraska Humane Society. That organization is also struggling with high numbers.

LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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A dog sits in a kennel at the Nebraska Humane Society. Because it isn't at its full contingent of veterinarians, not all dogs are being spayed or neutered before being adopted out.  

LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Jenny Houfek of Hands, Hearts and Paws Rescue pets one of her 10 foster puppies. Rescue organizations say they are overwhelmed by requests to take animals.

LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Jenny Houfek is fostering 10 Labrador mix puppies at her home in Omaha. Rescue organizations say they are asked every day to take in animals.

LILY SMITH PHOTOS, THE WORLD-HERALD

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The Nebraska Humane Society is trying to avoid taking in owner-surrendered animals unless it’s an emergency, but still the demand is high. “We are working on hairline wiggle room when it comes to dogs,” said the Humane Society’s Pam Wiese. The Humane Society took in 21,233 animals in 2021, 5,762 of which were dogs. Above and left, dogs at the Humane Society.

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Reign receives pets from foster parent Allison Wolff at Wolff's home in Omaha. She was adopted from NHS, but it wouldn't take her back when her new owner had concerns about her shy behavior. When the new owner took her to the vet to be spayed, it was discovered that she was pregnant. 

LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Jenny Houfek’s foster dogs, Echidna and her 10 puppies, are shown at Houfek’s home. Although their future looks good, it’s not that way for all dogs. “It’s not the good life,” said Joni Cisney of Homeward Bound in the Heartland Animal Rescue. “The animals are getting the shaft and nobody is paying attention.”

LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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One of Jenny Houfek's 10 foster puppies nibbles on her finger.

LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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One of Jenny Houfek's 10 foster puppies nibbles on their kennel. Some rescues have had to turn people away because they are so full. 

LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Reign receives pets from foster parent Allison Wolff. Her new owner surrendered her to a rescue after discovering she was pregnant.

LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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marjie.ducey@owh.com, 402-444-1034, twitter.com/mduceyowh

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Jenny Houfek is fostering 10 Labrador mix puppies at her home in Omaha. Rescue organizations say they are asked every day to take in animals.

• LILY SMITH PHOTOS, THE WORLD-HERALD

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The Nebraska Humane Society is trying to avoid taking in owner-surrendered animals unless it’s an emergency, but still the demand is high. “We are working on hairline wiggle room when it comes to dogs,” said the Humane Society’s Pam Wiese. The Humane Society took in 21,233 animals in 2021, 5,762 of which were dogs. Above and left, dogs at the Humane Society.

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Reign practices shaking her paw with foster parent Allison Wolff. Reign was originally adopted from the Nebraska Humane Society.

• LILY SMITH photos, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Jenny Houfek’s foster dogs, Echidna and her 10 puppies, are shown at Houfek’s home. Although their future looks good, it’s not that way for all dogs. “It’s not the good life,” said Joni Cisney of Homeward Bound in the Heartland Animal Rescue. “The animals are getting the shaft and nobody is paying attention.”

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Marjie Ducey’s new pet, Louie.

• MARJIE DUCEY

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One of several full kennel rooms at the Nebraska Humane Society, which has an 86% live release rate.

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Reign rests her head in the lap of her foster parent Allison Wolff of Hands, Hearts and Paws Rescue. The Nebraska Humane Society didn't take Reign back when her new owner expressed concerns about her anxious behavior in her new home. She wasn't spayed by NHS and her new owner discovered she was pregnant.

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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A dog is fed treats in its kennel at the Nebraska Humane Society. That organization is also struggling with high numbers.

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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A dog sits in a kennel at the Nebraska Humane Society. Because it isn't at its full contingent of veterinarians, not all dogs are being spayed or neutered before being adopted out.  

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Jenny Houfek of Hands, Hearts and Paws Rescue pets one of her 10 foster puppies. Rescue organizations say they are overwhelmed by requests to take animals.

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Reign receives pets from foster parent Allison Wolff at Wolff's home in Omaha. She was adopted from NHS, but it wouldn't take her back when her new owner had concerns about her shy behavior. When the new owner took her to the vet to be spayed, it was discovered that she was pregnant. 

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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One of Jenny Houfek's 10 foster puppies nibbles on her finger.

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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One of Jenny Houfek's 10 foster puppies nibbles on their kennel. Some rescues have had to turn people away because they are so full. 

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Reign receives pets from foster parent Allison Wolff. Her new owner surrendered her to a rescue after discovering she was pregnant.

• LILY SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

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