Latest news with #CalgaryHumaneSociety
7 days ago
- General
Some shelters are seeing more pet surrenders. They say the cost of living is a huge factor
A woman who can't afford her pets after her husband's death, despite working two jobs. A couple forced to downsize due to the financial strain of cancer. An owner who can't pay for the treatment for her cat's urinary condition. These are just a handful of the stories that Calgary Humane Society heard last week from pet owners forced to give up their furry family members. People having to surrender due to cost of living and cost overall — it's been literally every single intake we've done this week, Sally Johnston, director of community services, told CBC News. As costs creep up in Canada, some animal shelters and humane societies say they're seeing a worrying trend: More Canadians surrendering their pets because they simply can't afford them anymore. Others are seeing increased demand for their services like pet food banks. CBC News reached out to organizations across Canada. More than half said that they're either seeing pet surrenders go up, or hearing more people cite the cost of living for why they're parting with their pet. Calgary Humane Society has had around 200 pets waiting for intake at any given time over the last two years. Five years ago, it had no waitlist at all. Enlarge image (new window) Calgary Humane Society has been dealing with increasing pet surrenders, and it says that the rising cost of living is the main factor behind it. Photo: Calgary Humane Society Last year, B.C. SPCA handled 906 pet surrender requests, but it's already seen 800 in the first half of this year alone. Ontario SPCA has seen a 16 per cent increase this year so far. Cost-related factors accounted for 76 per cent of pet surrenders at Calgary Humane Society in 2024, and for 72 per cent of surrenders this year so far, Johnston said. When I look at our intake numbers, I really see that for the most part, people surrendering is not a choice. They're kind of forced to. In June, Montreal SPCA put out a call for donations, which the organization relies on. It, too, saw more than 2,000 pet surrenders in the first six months of 2025, an increase of 32 per cent from the same period last year, said animal advocacy director Sophie Gaillard. Enlarge image (new window) Babette, who was surrendered to Montreal SPCA because of the financial burden of veterinary care costs, is currently available for adoption. Photo: Photo provided by Montreal SPCA Between 2015 and 2020, surrenders were on a steady decline at Montreal SPCA, she said. But over the last few years, that trend has reversed: This year, it's really a record increase in animal surrenders. A perfect storm Veterinary care, housing and the overall cost of living have been rising, staff at the affected shelters say, and there is also a shortage of veterinarians. All told, it's a perfect storm for an increase in pet surrenders, Gaillard says. Finding and affording pet-friendly housing is one of the biggest problems for owners right now, according to shelters and humane societies. Several told CBC News they tend to get an influx of surrenders right before the end of the month, as people prepare to move into a new place that won't accept their pet. That struggle also disproportionately affects low-income people, Gaillard said. In Quebec, landlords were cleared to implement a record rental increase (new window) this year, exacerbating an existing housing crunch. Meanwhile, Montreal SPCA is pushing for Quebec to follow Ontario's example and ban no-pet clauses in rental agreements. Enlarge image (new window) A cat named Petrie is pictured at the Toronto Humane Society. Photo: CBC / Alex Lupul These are really gut-wrenching scenes for us to witness … on a daily basis, people who arrive at the SPCA in tears, in distress, Gaillard said. They are forced to surrender a family member, essentially, just to be able to put a roof over their heads. It's really an inhumane decision that we should not be forcing people into. For its part, the Toronto Humane Society said it hasn't seen a notable increase in surrenders. But it said more pet owners are accessing its pet food bank and attending community days to receive donated pet toys and items. From March to the end of December in 2024, the non-profit gave out just under 5,300 bags of pet food, but it's already dispensed about 5,600 bags in just the first six months of 2025. Enlarge image (new window) Toronto Humane Society has seen demand for their pet food increase significantly this year. Photo: CBC / Alex Lupul We're keeping track of how many people are coming in requesting food, said Lauralee Dorst, director of community animal welfare. And it's usually because they can't afford ... the rising cost [of] food in regular pet stores. Troubling trend, staff say Pet surrenders aren't a new phenomenon, but Johnston says it's troubling to see more people having to consider parting with beloved pets because of financial burdens. Enlarge image (new window) Liz Retter, a Toronto Humane Society volunteer, is pictured with an adoptable dog named Princess. Shelters are seeing the financial stress of pet owners manifest in an increased demand for their community services. Photo: CBC / Alex Lupul She urged pet owners to reach out to their local humane societies before they reach a breaking point, as many shelters have supports such as programs for seniors, pet retention programs or discounted veterinary care. The sooner that we engage with these folks and come up with these solutions before they even have to consider surrender, the more likely we are to prevent it all together. Alexandra Mae Jones (new window) · CBC News Alexandra Mae Jones is a senior writer for CBC News based in Toronto. She has written on a variety of topics, from health to pop culture to breaking news, and previously reported for CTV News and the Toronto Star. She joined CBC in 2024. You can reach her at
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Some animal shelters in Canada are seeing more pet surrenders — because their owners can't afford them
A woman who can't afford her pets after her husband's death, despite working two jobs. A couple forced to downsize due to the financial strain of cancer. An owner who can't pay for the treatment for her cat's urinary condition. These are just a handful of the stories that Calgary Humane Society heard last week from pet owners forced to give up their furry family members. "People having to surrender due to cost of living and cost overall — it's been literally every single intake we've done this week," Sally Johnston, director of community services, told CBC News. As costs creep up in Canada, some animal shelters and humane societies say they're seeing a worrying trend: More Canadians surrendering their pets because they simply can't afford them anymore. Others are seeing increased demand for their services like pet food banks. CBC News reached out to organizations across Canada. More than half said that they're either seeing pet surrenders go up, or hearing more people cite the cost of living for why they're parting with their pet. Calgary Humane Society has had around 200 pets waiting for intake at any given time over the last two years. Five years ago, it had no wait list at all. Last year, B.C. SPCA handled 906 pet surrender requests, but in the first half of this year alone, it's already seen 800. Ontario SPCA has seen a 16 per cent increase this year so far. Cost-related factors accounted for 76 per cent of pet surrenders at Calgary Humane Society in 2024, and for 72 per cent of surrenders this year so far, Johnston said. "When I look at our intake numbers, I really see that for the most part, people surrendering is not a choice. They're kind of forced to." In June, Montreal SPCA put out a call for donations, which the organization relies on. It, too, saw more than 2,000 pet surrenders in the first six months of 2025, an increase of 32 per cent from the same period last year, said Sophie Gaillard, animal advocacy director. Between 2015 and 2020, surrenders were on a steady decline at Montreal SPCA, she said. But over the last few years, that trend has reversed: "This year, it's really a record increase in animal surrenders." A perfect storm Veterinary care, housing and the overall cost of living have been rising, staff at the affected shelters say, and there is also a shortage of veterinarians. All told, it's a "perfect storm" for an increase in pet surrenders, Gaillard says. Finding and affording pet-friendly housing is one of the biggest problems for owners right now, according to shelters and humane societies. Several told CBC News that they tend to get an influx of surrenders right before the end of the month, as people prepare to move into a new place that won't accept their pet. That struggle also disproportionately affects low-income people, Gaillard said. In Quebec, landlords were cleared to implement a record rental increase this year, exacerbating an existing housing crunch. Meanwhile, Montreal SPCA is pushing for Quebec to follow Ontario's example and ban no-pet clauses in rental agreements. "These are really gut-wrenching scenes for us to witness … on a daily basis, people who arrive at the SPCA in tears, in distress," Gaillard said. "They are forced to surrender a family member, essentially, just to be able to put a roof over their heads. It's really an inhumane decision that we should not be forcing people into." For its part, the Toronto Humane Society said it hasn't seen a notable increase in surrenders. But it said more pet owners are accessing its pet food bank and attending community days to receive donated pet toys and items. From March to the end of December in 2024, the non-profit gave out juts under 5,300 bags of pet food, but it's already dispensed about 5,600 bags in just the first six months of 2025. "We're keeping track of how many people are coming in requesting food," said Lauralee Dorst, director of community animal welfare, "and it's usually because they can't afford ... the rising cost [of] food in regular pet stores." Troubling trend, staff say Pet surrenders aren't a new phenomenon, but Johnston says it's troubling to see more people having to consider parting with beloved pets because of financial burdens. She urged pet owners to reach out to their local humane societies before they reach a breaking point, as many shelters have supports such as programs for seniors, pet retention programs or discounted veterinary care. "The sooner that we engage with these folks and come up with these solutions before they even have to consider surrender, the more likely we are to prevent it all together."
CBC
7 days ago
- General
- CBC
Some animal shelters in Canada are seeing more pet surrenders — because their owners can't afford them
A woman who can't afford her pets after her husband's death, despite working two jobs. A couple forced to downsize due to the financial strain of cancer. An owner who can't pay for the treatment for her cat's urinary condition. These are just a handful of the stories that Calgary Humane Society heard last week from pet owners forced to give up their furry family members. "People having to surrender due to cost of living and cost overall — it's been literally every single intake we've done this week," Sally Johnston, director of community services, told CBC News. As costs creep up in Canada, some animal shelters and humane societies say they're seeing a worrying trend: More Canadians surrendering their pets because they simply can't afford them anymore. Others are seeing increased demand for their services like pet food banks. CBC News reached out to organizations across Canada. More than half said that they're either seeing pet surrenders go up, or hearing more people cite the cost of living for why they're parting with their pet. Calgary Humane Society has had around 200 pets waiting for intake at any given time over the last two years. Five years ago, it had no wait list at all. Last year, B.C. SPCA handled 906 pet surrender requests, but in the first half of this year alone, it's already seen 800. Ontario SPCA has seen a 16 per cent increase this year so far. Cost-related factors accounted for 76 per cent of pet surrenders at Calgary Humane Society in 2024, and for 72 per cent of surrenders this year so far, Johnston said. "When I look at our intake numbers, I really see that for the most part, people surrendering is not a choice. They're kind of forced to." In June, Montreal SPCA put out a call for donations, which the organization relies on. It, too, saw more than 2,000 pet surrenders in the first six months of 2025, an increase of 32 per cent from the same period last year, said Sophie Gaillard, animal advocacy director. Between 2015 and 2020, surrenders were on a steady decline at Montreal SPCA, she said. But over the last few years, that trend has reversed: "This year, it's really a record increase in animal surrenders." A perfect storm Veterinary care, housing and the overall cost of living have been rising, staff at the affected shelters say, and there is also a shortage of veterinarians. All told, it's a "perfect storm" for an increase in pet surrenders, Gaillard says. Finding and affording pet-friendly housing is one of the biggest problems for owners right now, according to shelters and humane societies. Several told CBC News that they tend to get an influx of surrenders right before the end of the month, as people prepare to move into a new place that won't accept their pet. That struggle also disproportionately affects low-income people, Gaillard said. In Quebec, landlords were cleared to implement a record rental increase this year, exacerbating an existing housing crunch. Meanwhile, Montreal SPCA is pushing for Quebec to follow Ontario's example and ban no-pet clauses in rental agreements. "These are really gut-wrenching scenes for us to witness … on a daily basis, people who arrive at the SPCA in tears, in distress," Gaillard said. "They are forced to surrender a family member, essentially, just to be able to put a roof over their heads. It's really an inhumane decision that we should not be forcing people into." For its part, the Toronto Humane Society said it hasn't seen a notable increase in surrenders. But it said more pet owners are accessing its pet food bank and attending community days to receive donated pet toys and items. From March to the end of December in 2024, the non-profit gave out juts under 5,300 bags of pet food, but it's already dispensed about 5,600 bags in just the first six months of 2025. "We're keeping track of how many people are coming in requesting food," said Lauralee Dorst, director of community animal welfare, "and it's usually because they can't afford ... the rising cost [of] food in regular pet stores." Troubling trend, staff say Pet surrenders aren't a new phenomenon, but Johnston says it's troubling to see more people having to consider parting with beloved pets because of financial burdens. She urged pet owners to reach out to their local humane societies before they reach a breaking point, as many shelters have supports such as programs for seniors, pet retention programs or discounted veterinary care. "The sooner that we engage with these folks and come up with these solutions before they even have to consider surrender, the more likely we are to prevent it all together."
Montreal Gazette
30-07-2025
- Montreal Gazette
Opinion: How are rodeos still a thing?
Op Eds The Calgary Stampede has a long history; it dates back to 1912 when it was promoted by American Guy Weadick to celebrate cowboy culture and the Wild West. However, it's clear to those of us who care about animal welfare that rodeos have a long history of animal cruelty. Most recently, a horse was euthanized at the Calgary Stampede — having broken his leg during the chuckwagon race. His name was Rider. The chuckwagon race involves four horses pulling a 1,300-pound covered wagon — reminiscent of old-time food wagons — in a race against other wagons. Entrants can reach speeds of up to 65 km/h and it is often during these races that animals are injured or killed. Outside of the chuckwagon, rodeo events also include calf roping, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and wild cow milking which also carry significant risk for animal injury and death. Since 1986, there have been 110 known fatalities at the Calgary Stampede, with 79 horses killed during chuckwagon races alone. Other animals killed and injured include calves, steers and bucking horses. While many suffer from leg injuries and must be euthanized, horses also die from heart attacks, and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhages. According to the Calgary Humane Society, these numbers only reflect the official number of animals killed during the event itself; there are countless other animals who die behind the scenes while riders are attempting to perfect their skills. It is small wonder that animal rights groups have been calling for the termination of the rodeo events at the Stampede for years. In fact, Animal Justice has recently filed a legal complaint, calling for a full investigation into whether there should be charges laid against rodeo participants under provincial and federal animal protection laws following Rider's death. A smaller scale version of the Stampede takes place every September in Quebec. The Festival Western de St-Tite attracts thousands of visitors annually. Animal events include saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling that have drawn criticism over the years. In 2017, a horse named Grady died of a suspected spinal cord injury during the bucking bronco event. In 2018, Alain Roy, a respected Université de Montréal law professor and animal rights activist, published a report based on witness accounts at over 20 events. This lengthy report accused the organizers of the St-Tite festival of violating Quebec's animal welfare laws and found evidence that the animals were exposed to serious risk of injury as well as psychological distress. According to the CBC, the festival's promoters responded that the report was biased and dismissed its findings claiming that their own animal treatment specialist had found 'no abuse, negligence or unacceptable behaviour' on their part. Professor Roy had previously been unsuccessful in preventing the urban rodeo held at Montreal's 375th anniversary celebrations in 2017. The fact that the St-Tite rodeo continues to run, undeterred by complaints of animal cruelty, is curious, particularly in a province where its Civil Code (art. 898.1) recognizes animal sentience —requiring that animals be considered as more than just 'things' (i.e. property) but as beings with biological needs, capable of feeling pleasure and pain. While the recognition of sentience in the Civil Code since 2015 is a step in the right direction, it must be more than symbolic to have any real effect. Moreover, one wonders if people would feel differently if companion animals were being killed annually at rodeos. What if the headline had read instead: 'Labradoodle euthanized after injury during chuckwagon race at the Calgary Stampede'? Perhaps because cows and horses are not considered pets, nor are they part of our families (for most people), they do not rate the same considerations. Arguments in favour of rodeos focus on their history, the so-called entertainment they provide and 'sport.' However, the injury, death and cruelty to animals that we see must stop. Rider and Grady, and countless others like them, deserve no less. Kathryn M. Campbell is a full professor of criminology at the University of Ottawa. She is a member of the Canadian Animal Law Study Group and resides in Montreal.
CTV News
30-07-2025
- CTV News
‘Incredibly disheartening': Calgary Humane Society among animal rescues targeted by scam
Two local non-profit animal organizations are warning others about a scam they almost fell victim to, which involved fake cheques and emotional manipulation. The Calgary Humane Society and Alice Sanctuary say they've both been the targets of an overpayment scam recently. The humane society takes in thousands of animals a year, and that comes at a cost. 'At Calgary Humane Society, we don't receive any government funding. We rely on the generosity of the public, from private donors and from our corporate sponsors,' said Anna-Lee Fitzsimmons with the humane society. The rescues received cheques for $95,000, which would have made a huge difference. The cheques came with letters from a lawyer, claiming the money was gifted from a donor's estate. But there was a hitch. They were also asked to send back a certain, lesser amount to cover the cost of an injured dog but could keep the rest. 'It was quite manipulative when you think about it, using their partners and the loss, the grief. Then Lizzie, their dog, who was also in urgent medical care. That's what they needed the $70,000 for and then $25,000 was to be donated to us at the sanctuary,' said Janneane Madill with Alice Sanctuary. In an overpayment scam, the fraudsters hope you deposit the cheque and transfer your money to them before the bank's hold period ends and they confirm the cheque bounced. Luckily, neither group submitted their cheque when red flags began to pop up. 'It's incredibly disheartening, incredibly selfish. You know, animals in Calgary need this help. So, yeah, very disappointing and quite surprising as well. We've never seen anything like this come through,' said Fitzsimmons. Data from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre shows Canadians lost almost $640 million to fraud last year. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) estimates that stat is higher because only five per cent of fraud gets reported to police. In this situation, the BBB suggests fact-checking. 'You need to verify the information. Who are they? Their identity, address, phone number, email, their bank and so on. You can verify and validate a lot of information. The other thing is don't take the cheque and start spending the money,' said Wes Lafortune with the BBB. You can head to the BBB's Scam Tracker online to learn what types of scams are out there, so you don't become a victim.
