Latest news with #SallyJohnston
04-08-2025
- 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
04-08-2025
- 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
04-08-2025
- 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."
Daily Record
22-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots river 'has second-highest levels of fertility-harming chemical ever found'
Joint research by York University and Scots environmental charity Fidra raised alarm on contamination of 'forever chemical' TFA in rivers. A Scots river has been found to have the second highest concentration of a toxic chemical thought to harm human fertility ever found in the world. Joint research by York University and environmental charity Fidra has raised the alarm on levels of TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) in Glasgow's River Kelvin. The 'forever chemical' takes more than 1000 years to break down in the environment and German government scientists recently pushed for the EU to classify it as toxic to reproduction amid growing fears. TFA was found in 31 of 32 UK rivers surveyed by researchers, however the highest concentration of 78,464ng (nanograms) per litre was found in the Kelvin – the second highest recorded globally. Sally Johnston, chair of Friends of the River Kelvin, said: 'We need answers on what is causing it and who is accountable. 'It's good to get evidence because then we can action things from there. But the researchers don't even know what the source of this is and it's multifarious. 'We are an urban river. Close to roads, it has been an industrialised river in the past, it's a river that's in recovery. There were 55 working mills on the Kelvin at one point, so it could be a historical issue. But as a little group, we don't have the capacity to do chemical analysis.' Johnston said it had been a 'frantic' week for volunteers after the findings, with dog walkers asking if the Kelvin is still safe for them and their pets. But she stressed: "We've still got a beautiful river here with amazing wildlife. It's a good thing that people become more aware of things like forever chemicals.' "We blindly consume and then we start to ask questions when they become meaningful to us. "So if this raises a bit of awareness and we can ask questions and get the right information, it's ultimately about becoming more knowledgeable and then being able to act on that." TFA, which may also harm unborn babies, has been found in drinking water, wine and food, blood and breast milk. Only the record 140,000ng per litre found in the Neckar River in Germany in 2016 is worse. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Of the UK rivers tested, only the Ness in the Highlands had no TFA. Alistair Boxall of York University said: 'It is likely levels in drinking water will be similar to those we found in some of the rivers. While there are methods to remove TFA from drinking water, these are very expensive and likely impractical. 'We urgently need to stop chemicals like TFA at source so they don't get into our environment.' Hannah Evans of Fidra said: 'We're asking the UK Government to turn off the tap of these persistent forever chemicals.' Germany's Federal Office for Chemicals last month said TFA 'may cause harm to the unborn child' and 'may impair fertility'. Environment watchdog Sepa said: 'We are considering the contents of this report and will be engaging with the researchers to better understand their findings.'
