Animal Humane Society pausing services first week of November by providing employees time off

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The Animal Humane Society will pause all services and close all shelters and veterinary services during the first week of November to give all employees a week of paid time off.

AHS will close to the public beginning Friday, Oct. 29, and re-open on Tuesday, Nov. 9, according to a news release. From Nov. 1-7 the Pet Helpline will be closed and surrender or veterinary appointments will be unavailable.

A small team will care for the animals in shelters during this time, but the organization says they have been intentionally working to reduce the number of animals in shelters throughout the month of October through adoption, fostering, pausing the transport program and decreasing the amount of non-emergency surrender appointments.

AHS says that while animal care is rewarding it is also physically and emotionally difficult. AHS also says they have faced staffing challenges during the pandemic, and they wanted to take care of the staff who have worked hard recently with paid vacation time.

AHS has four metro locations in Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, St. Paul and Woodbury. The organization has provided alternate resources for anyone needing medical care and services for their pets during the time while AHS is closed.