BEATRICE - It’s one of the busiest times of the year for animal shelters and the Beatrice Humane Society is no exception.

As more people are able to leave their dogs outdoors as the weather improves, it leads to a busy few weeks for staff and Carlee Fiddes, the human society’s Executive director of over four years.

“Naturally, as people have their pets outside, and as strays go out and wander, we have more [dogs] coming in through that route also,” Fiddes said. “This year is no different, and maybe even a little worse so this years been a busy one.”

The shelter has come across a number of pets that have been either abandoned or  found as strays. As far as available space for local animals coming in, Fiddes says the humane society is “doing ok”, but issues arise when they help animals and shelters outside of the community.

“When we’re trying to help with those transfer animals, it does get a bit cozier,” Fiddes said. “We always make sure w’ll have room for strays. We will never turn away a stray, that’s something we live by, there will never be a stray turned away in our community, but it certainly gets a little bit tight for everything else when working through and helping as many animals as we can.”

Fiddes says the humane society is looking for the public's help in fostering animals.

“Our organization has a huge need for fosters right now,” Fiddes said. “Every animal that comes in as Neo-natal, which is less than eight weeks old, has to go out to foster until eight weeks of age. It is a Nebraska law that no animal can be re-homed or adopted or sold until they are eight weeks, so we want those animals out in homes growing, getting stronger, getting healthier… but in doing so, we need foster homes to sign up for. So far, I have, I believe, 55 animals in foster care right now.”

Earlier this week, the humane society announced the opening of their new Low Cost Spay-Neuter clinic that’s set to open in mid-May. One of the goals: lessening the feral cat population throughout Gage County. About 80% of animals in homes are spayed and neutered, and 90% of the animals coming to the humane society are coming in un-spayed and un-neutered, meaning most animals are coming from that remaining 20% due to the feral population.

“And that’s a really hard place for us to be,” Fiddes said. “1. We’ll start being able to provide more surgeries which helps animals throughout the shelter. 2. It allows us to implement a strong TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) program, which will help the outdoor cat population, as most of our kittens that come in are a result of that feral cat population. 3. We’ll be able to implement a Low Cost Spay/Neuter program allowing us to help low income people here in our community.

A grand opening celebration is set for Thursday, May 11 from 3:30-5:30 at 200 N. 7th St. in Beatrice.