Canadian animal shelters facing ‘perfect storm’ as more pets are being surrendered

Since the start of the year, more and more pets have been finding their way into the care of the Regina Humane Society. During the first six months of 2022, the Saskatchewan organization has seen at least 200 more animals come through its doors when compared to the year before, said Bill Thorn, director of marketing and public relations at the Regina Humane Society.

In 2019, they had roughly half as many animals surrendered during the same time period. It’s a trend being reported at many Canadian animal shelters this year, and it’s one that has a national advocacy group sounding the alarm over growing pressures to the system. Read more: Niagara animal shelter struggling with capacity as summer adoptions slow Many shelters are either close to or are at capacity as inflation puts cost pressures on pet owners, and at the same time are seeing a rise in calls for help and a growing waitlist to bring animals in to them, said Barbara Cartwright, CEO of Humane Canada, which represents Canadian humane societies and SPCAs.

Combined with stretched resources, Canadian animal shelters have been caught in a “perfect storm,” she said. “It is a real concern,” said Cartwright. “We think it’s going to get much worse in the fall.” Many Canadian animal shelters have been seeing an increase in pressure on the system lately.

In a July 13 post on its website, the Winnipeg Humane Society said it’s currently operating at 85 per cent capacity. Peaks in intake push the shelter to full capacity, it added.