Animal rescue organizations are struggling with burnout and mounting pressure to find suitable homes for adoptable pets.
Meant 2B Loved pet rescue in Cranbrook is temporarily pausing the intake of animals, as is Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS), as each organization struggles with an influx of surrendered animals.
Meant 2B Loved is an entirely volunteer-run pet rescue society that operates across the East Kootenay region. It takes in surrendered animals with the goal of finding foster and permanent homes.
Board member Stacie Johnson says that since the pandemic has slowed, so have adoption and foster rates. The society has made the tough decision to stop taking in animals since members have exhausted all of their resources.
鈥淭his is not a decision that we鈥檝e made lightly by any means. We鈥檝e had a huge increase in local surrenders and the amount of suitable fosters we have has dropped right down,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淲e had a surplus of fosters and adopters during COVID, when everyone was home, and now it is the opposite.鈥�
Deanna Thompson, Executive Director of AARCS said her organization is facing similar challenges.
鈥淓very shelter and rescue is feeling it,鈥� Thompson said. 鈥淲e saw a 200 per cent increase in adoption applications in 2020 compared to 2019, and families came in droves to foster pets. By August 2022, not only have we gone back to pre-COVID numbers, but we are seeing a further decrease in applications from 2019.
鈥淧eople returning to work, or a change of life they couldn鈥檛 see coming, including the effects inflation, are forcing people to give up their pets at higher rates. We are also seeing behavioural concerns with dogs that grew up during the pandemic who are under-socialized, requiring extensive and time-consuming rehabilitation.鈥�
鈥淐ouple that with an increase in animals in need, and we鈥檝e hit a capacity within the animal welfare system that we haven鈥檛 seen in years.鈥�
One of the best ways to help, Johnson said, is to donate to your local rescue society.
鈥淲e are so grateful to our current fosters who have been so patient with us and the animals. And to the other organizations that have helped us out as well,鈥� Johnson said.
Meanwhile, a parallel shortage of available veterinary care could result in some animals not being spayed or neutered.
鈥淭his could produce unwanted offspring or contribute to surrenders if people cannot afford veterinary care,鈥� Thompson said.
Johnson said part of their reason for suspending intakes is to ensure they aren鈥檛 overwhelming vets. She hopes the pause can be lifted in 4-6 weeks, adding that board members face verbal abuse and mounting anxiety.
鈥淲e rescue animals, that鈥檚 our number one priority - making sure they are healthy, and finding them a good home.鈥�
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corey.bullock@cranbrooktownsman.com
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