A troubling trend is emerging at humane societies and animal shelters in Alberta—dogs spend more time in kennels as adoptions slow down and the number of surrenders increases.
This shift is causing concern among shelter workers and volunteers, as it directly impacts the well-being of the animals in their care.
Lengthening Stays in Shelters
One of the most notable examples of this trend is Paddy, a mixed-breed dog who recently found her forever home after living nearly two years at the Cochrane & Area Humane Society (CAHS).
A heart-tugging promotional video showing Paddy on day 1 at the shelter and then on day 716 went viral with 3 million views, ultimately leading to Paddy’s adoption on August 9, just three days shy of her two-year anniversary at the shelter.
However, Paddy is just one of many long-term residents at CAHS. Stormie, another mixed-breed dog, was recently adopted after 459 days at the shelter.
Paddy’s and Stormie’s long stays are not isolated cases; they reflect a broader slowdown in dog adoptions across Alberta.
According to Rachel Harper, the supervisor of the animal care department at the Cochrane shelter, the average length of stay for dogs has doubled from 30 days in 2020 to over 60 days in 2023.
“We have a few [dogs] that we’ve had for over a year or so,” Harper noted.
This delay in adoptions is heartbreaking for the animals and poses challenges for the shelters, which must find ways to keep the dogs engaged and healthy during their extended stays.
Beyond the difficulties of keeping dogs engaged in a shelter situation, there is the financial burden on shelters.
The CAHS has notes that the costs of housing, feeding, medicating, and caring for a dog in the shelter cost, on average, about $40 per day. This would bring the cost of caring for Paddy to over $29,000, far above the discounted minimum $95 adoption fee the society offers for long-term residents.
Obviously, keeping dogs for such a long time is not only hard on the animals, it is also not financially sustainable.
Challenges Facing Dogs in Shelters
Dogs with specific characteristics are particularly vulnerable to longer stays. Harper and other shelter workers have observed that potential adopters often overlook dogs with black fur (black dog syndrome) or behavioural issues.
“It’s a big ask for somebody to take on a dog that’s more fearful, more timid,” Harper explained.
The longer these dogs remain in the shelter, the more their behaviour can decline, leading to a vicious cycle where they become even less adoptable.
Shelters like the Cochrane & Area Humane Society and Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation in Calgary try to mitigate this by placing animals in foster homes whenever possible.
However, the sheer volume of animals needing help is staggering, and the resources are often stretched to their limits.
High Volume of Surrenders
The issue isn’t limited to more extended stays. Shelters across Alberta are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of animals being surrendered.
Anna-Lee Fitzsimmons from the Calgary Humane Society pointed out that the number of animals on their waitlist is “staggering,” a situation unheard of before 2020. Many of these animals come from people who adopted pets during the pandemic or breeders who failed to spay and neuter their animals, leading to unwanted litter.
The economic climate is also playing a significant role in the slowdown of adoptions. The rising cost of living, coupled with the expense of pet care, is causing many Albertans to reconsider adding a pet to their household. This financial strain is not only affecting families but also contributing to the overcapacity in shelters, with some dogs remaining in their care for over a thousand days.
The Impact on Shelters and Communities
The strain on shelters is palpable. Erin Deems, co-executive director of Saving Grace Animal Society, described the situation as one where everyone is “just absolutely doing our best to keep our heads above water.”
With over 350 dogs and cats under their care, the Alix-based non-profit is feeling the pressure of too many animals and needs more resources. They have so many animals that they can’t keep up with updating their website with new offerings. Instead, they post updates to Facebook and have a “name your adoption fee” policy for adult dogs.
To address challenges with fewer adoptions and more surrenders, shelters are calling for more community support.
This includes not only adopting dogs but also helping with animal care by fostering animals, volunteering for animal care duties, or donating funds.
Harper emphasized the importance of local involvement, stating, “My message [to the public] would just be to support your local shelter, whether that’s adopting, fostering, or donating. Every little bit helps.”
As Alberta’s humane societies continue to navigate these challenges, the hope is that increased awareness and community action can help reverse the trend of slowing adoptions and extended stays for dogs in shelters.
If you want to help out, check out any of the humane societies near you; they are all in need of help and if you are in the Bow Valley, be sure to check out the Dog Day Open House at the Bow Valley SPCA on August 31, 2024, where you can meet all of their excellent adoptable dogs.
