Pair of pets abandoned in Alberta as province sees high wait list of owners looking to surrender pets
Posted April 25, 2023 5:18 pm.
Last Updated April 25, 2023 6:47 pm.
Animal rescues in Alberta are seeing waitlists, not for adoptions, but for those looking surrender animals.
In Edmonton Saturday, a man tosses a cat on the adoption room floor, when no one is looking. And in Calgary, a cat was left outside in a cage, not found until the next morning.
“While it hurts our hearts, and it hurts our souls. It really speaks to how much people are struggling,” said Leigh McLean, Edmonton Operations Manager with the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS).
“People are struggling right now, it’s really expensive to just live at the moment.”
- RELATED: Cats abandoned at Alberta shelters
But the AARCS warns against abandoning pets, highlighted by those two cases you saw caught on camera in Edmonton and Calgary.
AARCS says they had to refer both cases to the authorities because abandoning an animal is illegal under the Animal Protection Act and the criminal code.
Cat abandoned in Edmonton (Photo Courtesy AARCS)
But the agency wants those struggling to care for their pets to know, they can reach out for help, before reaching this point.
“It’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to ask for help.”
From the lack of affordable pet-friendly rentals to medical needs, AARCS understands sometimes surrendering is the only option, but says there are programs for those struggling financially.
“Other programs that we have, we offer a food assistance program which is like a pet food bank.”
As for the cat tossed, he’s now with animal care and control, while peace officers investigate. Saying they are looking for witnesses to help find his owner.
