Manitoulin Pet Rescue trying to cope with influx of surrendered animals
A registered non-profit group that helps animals in need located on Manitoulin Island says it has been overwhelmed dealing with a large increase of dogs and cats being abandoned.
Manitoulin Pet Rescue has been saving animals since its inception in 2015.
Close to 400 dogs and puppies have come through the rescue and over 550 cats and kittens.
The volunteers said lately, they are feeling overwhelmed and burned out after seeing so many pets being abandoned or surrendered by their owners.
“Both emotionally, physically financially. We all lose sleep at night over these animals and the ones that we know need to come into care,” said Carly Valiente, a volunteer and the dog intake and adoption coordinator with Manitoulin Pet Rescue.
“Sometimes having to say no, and the stress of saying no, and the consequence of saying no, if we don’t have space for an animal.”
The cat intake and adoption coordinator with the group, Kathy Jewell, said numbers are higher than they’ve ever been.
“Everyday I’m alerted to cats that are strays in the community, female cats with litters of kittens, people wanting to surrender, there’s been a lot of abandoned cats this year,” said Jewell.
“I used to get cycles where in the spring time we’d have lots, we’ve gone into December with only a couple adult cats and now we’re going into December with lots of kittens and that’s unprecedented.”The cat intake and adoption coordinator with the group told CTV News intake numbers for cats and kittens are higher than they have ever been. (Supplied)Valiente said it’s unfortunately become a regular occurrence.
“Just about three or four days ago, a homeless dog came across my radar that literally had no home, it was just left, the owners just moved away,” she added.
“Just in the last couple of months I can think of four that have just been dumped on various parts of Manitoulin.”The dog intake and adoption coordinator with Manitoulin Pet Rescue told CTV News they are having to turn animals away because they do not have space for them. (Supplied)The group added that in the near future it’s hoping to receive government funding to help find a facility to house animals in need on the island, especially if the numbers continue to climb.
“We have so many incredibly dedicated fosters and volunteers who would absolutely love to visit the shelter, help our animals, walk the dogs, feed them ... that is not an issue by any means but we just need a facility,” said Valiente.
In the meantime, without a facility, the rescue group said with the large influx of animals, it’s currently in need of a number of foster homes, as well as donations of cat and dog food or monetary contributions.
For those interested in helping out, you can contact the Manitoulin Pet Rescue group on Facebook.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
LGBTQ2S+ rallies to be held across Canada, billed as largest since marriage equality
Organizations across the country are gearing up for what they describe as the largest LGBTQ2S+ mobilization since the push for marriage equality.
Toronto Catholic school board trustees vote against flying 'pro-life' flag
Catholic public schools across Toronto will not be flying the "pro-life" flag in the month of May after school board trustees voted against it.