Humane society seeks animal fosters ahead of potential surge in pet surrenders
The Humane Society London & Middlesex (HSLM) is searching for fosters as they prepare for a potential surge in animal surrenders first seen in shelters across the U.S.
Steve Ryall, HSLM executive director, says the shelter only takes in surrenders.
“We do not judge and we will always find a home for every animal.”
HSLM is currently housing 230 animals including dogs, cats, gerbils, rabbits, snakes and more.
At the height of the pandemic, many people sought out furry friends for companionship when working from home.
“Generally, we would have seen 25 applications for an animal…it probably doubled and maybe even tripled in some cases.”
But now a portion of those people are returning to work for the first time in 18 months.
Ryall says this shift is to blame for a recent uptick in animal surrenders first seen in shelters south of the border.
“What is happening in the United States is they are seeing a lot of animals being surrendered as people are going back to work and do not have the time for that animal…Through some surveys that Humane Canada conducted, we aren’t seeing it happening here yet in Canada but here at HSLM, we are preparing for that possibility.”
A sign encouraging support of the Humane Society London and Middlesex is seen in London, Ont. on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
Ryall says the best way to deal with a potential surge in surrenders is to recruit more fosters, which are people who take in animals for a temporary period until they find their forever homes.
“Maybe take some of the animals that are with us longer term and start putting them in foster care so we can accept more animals. Honestly the cages are full here, that’s why we need to grow our foster program.”
Mackenzie Landers has been fostering animals for more than a year, she calls the experience a rewarding one.
“I have always just loved animals and I find it really rewarding to give them the best possible chance that they have. Sometimes they come from bad situations and you don’t know what they have been through, but giving them a loving, comforting home is really rewarding.”
Ryall is searching for any new foster friends who could help, adding that the foster program is flexible.
He says he and his team will take all the help they can get to make room for more animals.
“We are always happy to see animals come in because we know they are in our care - happy and sad when they leave because we connect with them. But we are happy for them and their future.”
If you’re interested in fostering an animal at HSLM, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.