Humane Society of Northeast Iowa is looking for homes for 40 animals

The Humane Society of Northeast Iowa is looking for homes for almost 40 animals in northeast Iowa.

Currently there are only 13 foster homes in the five county area. HSNEI is in dire need of more foster homes.

"We frequently have to send animals to shelters in other areas due to the lack of space in our foster homes," said HSNEI's Dog Foster Coordinator, Carmen Hurley.  Foster homes for both dogs and cats are needed, but cats make up nearly half of HSNEI's animals in need of adoption and there are only two cat foster homes.

Cat Foster Coordinator Josie Noecker says: "[We] work with the person and what they are comfortable with. If they say one cat, it'll be one cat. If they only want to foster a kitten or two; it'll be only a kitten or two."

HSNEI pays for the care of an animal from foster care to adoption. The average cost for a healthy dog spending a month in foster care is about $200, including spay or neuter, deworming, Frontline, vaccinations, Lyme test and vaccine, heartworm test and preventative and food. Some of HSNEI's special needs dogs have medical bills up to $2,000. These costs are aside from the time and personal costs to foster families that train, housebreak, and nurture the animals to prepare them for successful adoption.

HSNEI depends on foster families to care for animals until a shelter is built. HSNEI is working with a contractor who has drawn up plans for a shelter, to be located in the Decorah business park. HSNEI hopes to break ground for the new shelter within 18 months.

For more information on HSNEI and fostering visit http://www.hsnei.org