Shelters swamped as people surrender pets

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This article was published 16/08/2023 (815 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Animal shelters in Winnipeg and across the province are bursting.

The City of Winnipeg Animal Services Agency, which can comfortably care for 20 dogs, had 31 of the animals packed into their small kennels at the Logan Avenue facility Wednesday. Most of them haven’t been spayed or neutered, vaccinated or licensed, said manager Leland Gordon.

“It is a lot of work cleaning that many cages in the morning and feeding them, getting them outside and giving them enrichment … It’s taking a toll on our staff and volunteers,” he said.

During the pandemic, a lot of people adopted a dog because they were spending more time at home, but now there’s been an influx of people surrendering their dogs to shelters, said Gordon.

Veterinary bills and the rising cost of pet food and supplies is part of the problem.

The are other reasons people are getting rid of dogs: they don’t have time to care for the animal, they are moving to a place that doesn’t allow pets, they are expecting a baby, or they were not financially stable enough to add the expense of caring for a pet, said Gordon.

“People really need to think long and hard before they add a dog to the family,” he said.

“We still have a very large reluctance from a segment of our community that doesn’t want to spay or neuter their pets,” said Gordon, which is causing animal shelters and agencies to transport dogs from northern Manitoba and Winnipeg to other provinces to receive adequate care.

The Winnipeg Humane Society had 255 cats and kittens and 41 dogs and puppies Wednesday, while 220 dogs and cats were in foster homes, said CEO Jessica Miller.

“I feel that dogs are harder to rehome because they’re just a little bit more maintenance in terms of size and having them go outside to use the washroom,” she said.

The number of people adopting pets has been consistent, but since March 2022, there has been an increase of people surrendering their pets, which has created a six-month intake wait list.

Pets that have behavioural issues or serious medical needs are prioritized at the shelter and there is no time limit on a pet’s stay.

There hasn’t always been a massive wait list, said Miller, but they try to assist people by offering diversion programming.

This helps people find ways to keep their pets at home safely, access behavioural resources and training, provide pet food options through the shelter food bank and assistance with medical treatment, she said.

Although it’s uncommon, Miller has heard of owners letting their dogs loose in rural areas or bringing them in as “strays” in attempt to avoid the long waiting list.

“That’s why we hope, if we do have a long waiting list, people can at least talk to us about our diversion programs that we can help them with, so it doesn’t ever have to get to that point,” said Miller.

“We like to think people are good people, and don’t do these things on purpose – they sometimes do them out of necessity and desperation.”

In 2023-24, the shelter has the largest budget in history due to the increase in the cost of supplies paired with the North America-wide veterinarian crisis, making it harder to retain vets, she said.

The Animal Hospital of Manitoba, located at 995 Main St., has offered a subsidy program for families with sick or injured pets who are struggling to finance their vet bill since 2013.

“It doesn’t matter whether they have financial difficulties … As long as they feel they need to apply, we don’t discriminate,” said Dr. Wenchao Zheng.

The clinic offers a 50 per cent discount, up to $500, with the limit of one application per year per family.

Zheng said he understands how people with pets may struggle to cover the cost of surgery or routine vaccinations and he tries to help where he can.

He said he encourages veterinary hospitals and clinics to participate in the Veterinary Medical Association’s spay and neuter day, which provides the services at a discount rate. It reduces the risk of health complications in pets and addresses the overpopulation of stray animals in the city.

Anyone interested in adopting or fostering a pet can look on the city’s website under “Animal Services” or volunteer, donate, foster and adopt through the humane society.

tessa.adamski@freepress.mb.ca