Cochrane and Area Humane Society is bursting at the seams, accommodating more than double its capacity of animals.
Cochrane and Area Humane Society is bursting at the seams, accommodating more than double its capacity of animals.
“We are definitely at capacity, ” said Jaimie Anton, fund development officer for the Cochrane & Area Humane Society, referencing the 241 animals the shelter has in its care.
“Right now we are really busy with cats and kittens, dogs and puppies - we are extremely full. ”
Despite having 141 animals the shelter does not have space for, the staff said they are “extremely grateful ” and “fortunate ” for the volunteers and foster homes for helping out with the overflow of fluffy and furry friends.
Staff members are attributing the high animal intake number due to “kitten and puppy season ” and low adoption rates with families and residents away for the summer.
Working as a doors open animal shelter, organizers and volunteers do not turn animals away and do not kill due to capacity or time of stay. The shelter has been fortunate enough to re-home more than 90 per cent of its intakes.
“The support of our volunteers in the shelter and our volunteer foster homes makes it possible to take care of additional animals. We work hard to ensure we can help any animal who needs our help and we’ll work with anyone who needs to surrender an animal, ” Anton said.
While they never turn animals away, the fund development officer explained there are times when they work with people needing to surrender to see if they are able to keep an animal for a few extra days until they can make arrangements.
“We ensure anyone needing immediate assistance receives it. Since being at our current location, we haven’t ever had to euthanize for space, and a big part of that is due to the amazing volunteers we have, ” Anton said.
Now shelter staff members are putting out a call to those families looking to adopt, especially those looking to expand their home with floppy-eared pets.
“We’ve got a collection of all different looks and breeds, ” Anton said about the additional 10 rabbits the shelter took in earlier this month after a 100-plus animal seizure earlier this year from a property near Milo, Alta.
Ty Marshall, a dog breeder, is currently facing charges under the Animal Protection Act after the Alberta SPCA seized 131 dogs, 62 rabbits, eight cats and three tortoises from the rural property.
While the local shelter is not involved with investigation, as part of its mission to help all animals it made the decision to help the Calgary Humane Society by accepting the additional 10 rabbits despite maxing out its capacity at six of the animals.
“We’ve got a collection of all different looks and breeds, ” Anton said.
While there are some animals available for adoption right now, Anton is telling residents to keep an eye out over the next couple weeks for more kittens, puppies and rabbits will be looking for forever homes.
“Adoptions and donations always help out, ” Anton said.
For more information go to cochranehumane.ca or stop by the shelter, located at 62 Griffin Industrial Pt.
