KW humane society in 'crisis mode' as more animals keep arriving

The KW Stratford and Perth Humane Society says it is in crisis mode this summer as more animals and pet owners are in need of support.

The shelter has 345 animals in its care right now, with almost 140 more on a waitlist. The number of animals coming in keeps going up and number of adoptions has gone down. 

"We went up 37 pets in under a week on the waiting list, and I can imagine that number will just keep coming because that's the trend we've been seeing," Calla James, director of community engagement and outreach with the shelter, told CBC News.

"We have a significant trend of people accessing our pet pantry program and looking for medical care."

The society is asking people who are able to help to make cash donations toward the cost of food and medical care for the animals.

'Help us please in any way you can'

It is also asking for volunteers to foster animals while the society pays for their supplies and medical expenses. 

"We're just reaching out to our community to say, 'Help us please in any possible way you can,'" James said.

There are 267 cats, 46 dogs and 72 small animals currently in the society's care, between the shelter and foster homes, James said. .

Some are large dogs that were adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic but were never properly trained or socialized, resulting in behavioural problems that owners don't know how to cope with, she said.

Some owners are surrendering pets because they've had to take new jobs that leave no time for pet care, or they've had to move overseas for work, or the family member who cared for the pet has died. 

'No other option' for those facing financial stress

Still others, she said, are surrendering their pets because they can no longer afford to care for them due to the rising cost of living.

"When people are needing to choose between feeding their children and feeding their pets, they're calling us to say, 'I have no other option,'" James said.  

The society tries to help people avoid surrendering their pets by offering a pet pantry program, which provides free pet food and supplies to pet owners in need, she added.

It also has canine behaviourists who try to prepare dogs for going to their forever homes.

The society also recently launched a home-to-home platform that allows people needing to rehome pets to connect directly with those looking to adopt animals. 

But so far, nothing seems to be stemming the tide of animals flooding into the shelter.

Callers are increasingly angry and the staff is burnt out, the society said in a news release.

"We are getting to them as quickly as possible," James said. 

"But please understand that we are operating under a lot of stress right now. Our staff are doing the very best that they can, and please just have some patience with us while we triage everybody quickly."

The society held an adoption event in June to try to relieve pressure on its resources, James said, but the kennels filled up again immediately afterwards.

What's more, while overtaxed shelters have traditionally sent animals to those with more space, that's no longer an option. 

"Everybody is full," she said. "Everybody is in this crisis mode. Everybody has waiting lists. Everybody is overextended." 

High vet bill costs leading people to surrender pets

The founder and director of the Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue said her facility is also dealing with an unprecedented demand for its services. .  

Tammy Tanner blames some of it on COVID-19 and people's desire to get a pet for lockdown companionship, only to surrender it when life got back to normal. 

But like James, she said the high cost of living is also taking a toll. 

"The last few cats that were surrendered, they didn't let us know about the medical condition.

"So I think it's the high [cost] of the vet bills that were concerning some of these people. 

Cat ownership a commitment, 'not like a goldfish'

Tanner's cat rescue partners with nearby Pet Smart locations to showcase animals available for adoption, but adoptions have slowed, she said — from 20 to 30 a month last summer to fewer than 10 now. 

Tanner urged cat owners to spay or neuter their animals to prevent the problem of unwanted strays.

She urges people to take pet adoption seriously.

"Really look into a 20-year commitment, because adopting a cat — it's not like a goldfish. … You really have to really, really want one. It's almost like having a child, right?"