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.
91裸聊视频淭his is not a decision that we91裸聊视频檝e made lightly by any means. We91裸聊视频檝e had a huge increase in local surrenders and the amount of suitable fosters we have has dropped right down,91裸聊视频� Johnson said. 91裸聊视频淲e had a surplus of fosters and adopters during COVID, when everyone was home, and now it is the opposite.91裸聊视频�
Deanna Thompson, Executive Director of AARCS said her organization is facing similar challenges.
91裸聊视频淓very shelter and rescue is feeling it,91裸聊视频� Thompson said. 91裸聊视频淲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.
91裸聊视频淧eople returning to work, or a change of life they couldn91裸聊视频檛 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.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淐ouple that with an increase in animals in need, and we91裸聊视频檝e hit a capacity within the animal welfare system that we haven91裸聊视频檛 seen in years.91裸聊视频�
One of the best ways to help, Johnson said, is to donate to your local rescue society.
91裸聊视频淲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,91裸聊视频� Johnson said.
Meanwhile, a parallel shortage of available veterinary care could result in some animals not being spayed or neutered.
91裸聊视频淭his could produce unwanted offspring or contribute to surrenders if people cannot afford veterinary care,91裸聊视频� Thompson said.
Johnson said part of their reason for suspending intakes is to ensure they aren91裸聊视频檛 overwhelming vets. She hopes the pause can be lifted in 4-6 weeks, adding that board members face verbal abuse and mounting anxiety.
91裸聊视频淲e rescue animals, that91裸聊视频檚 our number one priority - making sure they are healthy, and finding them a good home.91裸聊视频�
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