Seized dogs ready for adoption

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This article was published 19/08/2024 (446 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The first group of dozens of dogs seized by the province from a home north of Winnipeg this month are now available for adoption.

More than 130 dogs were seized by the province’s animal health and welfare branch on Aug. 1 after an investigation determined they were living in unsanitary conditions.

The Winnipeg Humane Society said Monday it is opening adoptions for some of the dogs who are healthy and old enough.

Three of the 137 small mixed breed dogs are now up for adoption and one may have already found a home Monday, said Carly Peters, director of communications and marketing at the humane society. She said the first group are all about one year old but the rest of the dogs are a variety of ages.

“They go fast,” Peters said over the phone Monday afternoon.

Jessica Miller, the society’s CEO, said the public’s “generous support” has allowed the organization to focus on the well-being of all of its animals after the dogs were turned over to them.

The dogs will be turned over to partner rescue organizations to reduce the strain on the humane society’s resources and broaden the pool of potential adopters.

“The humane society and our partner rescues, we have the same goal, and that’s to get dogs into homes faster,” Peters said. “With this volume of dogs, the rescues graciously are going to take a few and ensure they get spayed and neutered, medical care and take care of their adoptions.”

The humane society announced an intake freeze in July with the shelter at capacity. There are currently about 200 animals at the shelter. The prolonged high-capacity period has meant staff are working overtime or coming in to look after the animals while on holidays.

“It’s tough,” Peters said. “We know it’s not a sustainable sort of thing, but we understand that this is sort of the new reality for many shelters across the country.”

Peters added the humane society is looking for ways to get animals through the shelter faster. They also provide diversion programming, including an emergency pet food bank, low-cost vet care and free behavioural support to ensure pets don’t end up in their care in the first place.

The WHS has about 300 people registered to foster animals and 600 other volunteers. Whenever they’ve asked for help, the community has responded by donating time, money, food or pet care items, Peters said.

The shelter says adoptions happen on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone interested is asked to visit 45 Hurst Way and view the dogs in person.

The humane society said at a news conference on Aug. 6 that 678 animals had been removed from homes up to that point this year. That’s more than in the previous two years combined.

Earlier this year, 68 Maltese dogs were removed from a Richmond West home by City of Winnipeg animal services workers.

The province’s investigation into the most-recent seizure is ongoing.

jura.mcilraith@freepress.mb.ca