Calgary Humane Society ‘bursting at the seams with dogs,’ needs help

"We are at capacity, so what that means for us is every kennel is full."

The Calgary Humane Society is “bursting at the seams with dogs” and needs the public’s help adopting or fostering the animals, Anna-Lee Rieb, manager of community support and engagement, said Wednesday.

“We are at capacity, so what that means for us is every kennel is full,” she said.

“Right now, we have 14 dogs available for adoption, but we have upwards of 30 to 40 dogs, either in the shelter or in foster homes, so just awaiting medical care or any kind of behavioural intervention, like waiting to become available for adoption.”

The shelter is tight on space due to renovations and the pandemic. Rieb hopes renovations will be complete in time for the CHS’ 100th birthday in June 2022.

“Our capacity at the shelter itself is a lot smaller than normal. It’s about cut in half of what we can normally house at our shelter, so we are really relying on foster homes as a result of that,” she said.

“And as a result of COVID, we have seen an increase in owner surrenders due to medical care costs. People adopted a puppy or a dog during the pandemic and didn’t really fully understand what the cost associated was going to be.”

CHS is offering 50 per cent off adult dog adoption fees until Oct. 31.

“Our dog appointments are 90 minutes in length, and they’ll have the undivided attention of an adoption counsellor when they come in for that appointment, and they can meet all the dogs that are available.”