Edmonton Animal Care and Control Centre pausing intake of healthy dogs

An increase in animal surrenders in Edmonton has the city sounding the alarm.

The Animal Care and Control Centre says it is forced to temporarily pause the intake of healthy dogs because of that increase, which is being seen at the centre, shelters, and rescues.

“In the last 30 years of operation, we have never seen the number or the duration of stay for dogs we have been experiencing recently,” said John Wilson, the director of Animal Control and Park Rangers.

“What that means is that our intake has been temporarily modified to prioritize only dogs that are injured or are in significant distress.”

Any dog with obvious fractures, trouble breathing, bleeding, unconscious or unable to move will be accepted. Healthy dogs will be turned away “until there is sufficient kennel space.”

Wilson says they typically care for animals for three t0 10 days, but they’re currently seeing hold periods last four to six weeks.

“It increases the chance and risk of disease transfer and can also result in behavioral problems, and so the sooner we can get animals reunited with their owners, the better,” said Wilson.

Wilson believes many people are feeling financial pressure, which is leading to pet surrenders.

“Many people during COVID went out and secured animals as pets for their families, but not everyone did the right amount of research to understand the care those animals needed, the cost of ownership,” he said. “And of course since then we’ve seen people return to work, we’ve seen post-pandemic lifestyles change and we’ve seen people realize with the rising cost of inflation that animals are expensive to care for.”

Edmonton Animal Care and Control Centre staff playing with a dog who came into their care Aug. 14, 2023. (CityNews)

The Animal Care and Control Centre is asking Edmontonians who find a dog to care for them “until an appointment can be made,” if they cannot find the pet’s owner.

Finding the pet’s owner can be done by bringing the animal to a vet to see if it’s microchipped, posting a photo on the city’s Lost & Found Pet page or on relevant community Facebook groups.

ACCC staff say they are working with partners and private kennels to locate additional space.

—With files from Adrienne South