The Montreal SPCA is “expecting the worst” on this July 1, which for the organization means animals are being abandoned due to moving.
The number of abandonments is already up 21% in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
This represents 220 more animals, including 166 dogs.
“The moving period is not included in these statistics, so today, we are expecting the worst,” says the general director of the Montreal SPCA, Laurence Massé.
Steps have been taken to prepare for receiving more animals.
“We’re ready,” she says. “We’ve been creative in how we use our space. We have animals in the offices, we’ve added collapsible cages in our kennels. We’ve also added manpower, so animal handlers.”
“We have increased the number of staff on our clinical team and our intervention team as well,” she adds. “We are still appealing to the public to tell them that if they can help us, whether by adopting an animal, becoming a foster family or making a donation, it will help us deploy all these resources.”
The organization usually enjoys good support from the population who adopt animals at this time of year.
Since the beginning of 2024, however, the SPCA has had more difficulty finding families for animals that spend more time than usual in its cages.
“The length of stay at the Montreal SPCA has doubled this year,” says Ms. Massé. “During the pandemic, more than 200,000 families got a new pet, and so we see a reduction in potential adopters.”
Inflation is also a factor for families deciding to give up their pets.
“We were already seeing this phenomenon last year, but this year, it’s exacerbated,” says the general director. “Behind many abandonments, there is a lack of financial resources, but obviously, housing is the primary reason for abandonments.”
“It’s extremely difficult for families to find housing that accepts pets,” she continues. “52% of Quebec households have a pet. 25% of them have a dog, but only 4.2% of owners accept dogs in their homes.”
More than 400 animals are abandoned each year because their families have been unable to find accommodation that accepts animals.
Watch the full interview in the video above
