Programs offer help to ease financial burdens for southern Indiana pet owners

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Every year, animal shelters see an influx in dogs and cats around the holidays.

The Tri-County Animal Shelter in Jeffersonville is already packed with animals, but earlier this month the shelter took in 13 dogs in one day.

"I think a lot of people get in a financial predicament where it's either they survive or they take care of the animal," said Tri-County director William Dreper.

Dreper added that around the holidays they get several owner surrenders and find more strays that don't make it back home.

The reasons that people surrender vary. Whether it's people who are struggling financially or they don't understand the work that goes into having a pet.

"I think a lot of people get in a financial predicament where it's either they survive or they take care of the animal," said Dreper.

To help keep owners from surrendering due to financial issues, shelters and rescues try to take some of those burdens away. In southern Indiana there are programs where you can get free food and there's also a new affordable spay and neuter clinic in Sellersburg.

Tri-County currently has 25 cages and 21 of them are filled. As an incentive to adopt dogs, starting Jan. 1 the shelter is partnering with Piece of My Heart Animal Rescue in Floyd County to give free training sessions for every dog that's adopted at their shelter.

"That's an opportunity to get the bad habits that we haven't gotten them broke from yet, broke before it gets home," said Dreper.

As we head into 2026, Dreper adds to make sure before you adopt to make sure the pet is the right fit for your family.

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