Pets surrendered to Toronto shelters up 75 per cent from last year due to return to office, rising costs
The number of pets surrendered to Toronto shelters so far this year is up 75 per cent compared to the first half of 2021, due to residents returning back to the office and rising pet-related costs.
According to Toronto Animal Services (TAS), 709 pets, including cats, dogs and others, were given to city shelters from January 1 to June 23 this year, compared to 404 during the same time period last year.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The pets surrendered so far this year include 327 cats, up from 260 a year ago ,151 dogs, compared to 103 last year, and 231 other animals, compared to 41 last year.
"Some of that increase is a couple of hoarding cases that we had with some rats and some rabbits. We are seeing an overall increase though for the number of dogs and cats that are being surrendered," TAS Director Esther Attard told CP24 on Tuesday.
Attard says many people are deciding to give up their pets because they are returning back to work as COVID-19 conditions improve.
"(Surrendering pets) is not something new and through the pandemic it was much lower and now we're just starting to see an uptick. And reasons for that are people having things change in their lives, new jobs, or having to move house, not being able to afford care and the cost for a pet at this time, because certainly the cost of things have gone up and that includes pet food," she said.
In addition, many high-energy, large breeds have been surrendered to city shelters and are up for adoption.
“When adopting a dog, it is important for the pet owners to consider the size of the dog as well as the breed requirements. Some owners may underestimate the amount of training and exercise required for large breeds,” TAS said in a statement to CP24.
The agency says there is currently a waitlist for pet surrenders due to the large number of dogs being surrendered or that have come in as strays and never claimed.
However, Attard says there is room at the shelter for more pets and that TAS handles their "intake very carefully."
There is a fee for surrending pets but Attard says sometimes that fee is waived depending on the situation.
"We do try to recoup some of the costs certainly for the care of the animals where we can and so there is a fee but again, that's not a barrier," she said.
"We all want to keep pets with their people. That's our focus. So we try and counsel and do as much as we can, providing food, access to care if they need it," she added.
In response to the rising number of animals in the shelter system, the city has launched a short and long-term foster program to find homes for pets in need.
TAS also has initiatives that reduce the costs of essential pet services to help residents keep their pets.
Last week, TAS hosted its first mobile chip truck of the year, providing microchip, pet licensing and rabies vaccines for pets at a reduced cost.
The next chip truck event is scheduled for July 27 at Breakaway Community Services. Free cat and dog food is also available at the truck while supplies last.
TAS also has a SNYP truck which provides spay and neuter services for dog and cat owners in low income households.
Residents with a household income of less than $50,000 must make an appointment for the SNYP truck by calling 416-338-6281 or emailing spayneuter@toronto.ca.
Pets who are available for adoption can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.