The economic downturn is driving more people to give up their pets, says an official with the local animal shelter.
Unable to cover vet bills and food costs due to financial hardship, a rising number of pet owners are surrendering their cats and dogs to the SPCA, said Carol Beard, manager of the Orillia branch.
“The intake (of animals) has gone through the roof and the donations are down,” Beard added.
Equally telling is the number of strays that are remaining at the shelter, with only 20 per cent of owners showing up to claim their pets.
Animal welfare workers recently discovered two dogs in an area of Oro-Medonte, only to return to the scene a day later to find two more.
“You are seeing a pattern of a lot of animals being abandoned in the same locations,” Beard added. “It seems to be the same owner because all of the animals seem to be familiar with each other.”
Pet owners struggling financially are urged to contact the West Street shelter rather than abandon their cats or dogs.
“People are in a precarious position with finances or jobs, but it is so much more important to give us a call,” Beard added. “We can help you with food if you need it.”
Those who cannot afford to care for a pet should surrender the animal rather than abandon it, she said.
“Then they have a much better chance of being adopted,” she said.
The shelter is currently home to 47 adult cats and 23 kittens, as well as 11 dogs.
Officials are holding an “Adopt a Cat Extravaganza” on June 5 and 6 in hopes of finding homes for felines nine weeks of age and older.
As an incentive, the shelter is reducing its adoption fees and including a free veterinary exam, up-to-date vaccinations, spaying or neutering, microchip identification, and six weeks of pet health insurance.
The extravaganza takes place at the shelter, located at 467 West St. N., and the Pet Val store on Monarch Drive.
For more information, call 325-1304.
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Animal care attendant Elizabeth Hutt hangs out with some of the many cats up for adoption at the Orillia branch of the SPCA.
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