COVID-19 was not kind to humane societies and animal shelters in and around the GTA and for some, it’s not getting better as things ease. “Surrendering is going up, rescues and humane SPCAs across the country are experiencing this issue and many are at full capacity,” Robyn Dmytrow, Director, Resource Development at the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) tells the Sun.
In 2021, the OMHS had a total of 118 surrenders. They are already at that number with still a little over two months to go before the end of the year.
“We’re getting 10 to 15 calls a day — a day — from people who are asking how to surrender their animals.”
The notable difference now versus pre-COVID is that many of the surrenders are purebred dogs, which were in high demand during the height of the pandemic.
Now that there is some semblance of normal, the reality of having a pet and all that comes with it has hit home for many — but it’s the animals that are paying the price.
“The dogs that are being surrendered to us are coming in with higher needs – more medical, more behavioural, many haven’t been to the vet,” Dmytrow says. “So when they come to us, they take more time with us.”
Pandemic lockdowns meant a lot of those dogs weren’t able to get the kind of training it may have needed, or not getting the socialization with other dogs and people required.
That combination has made many very “reactive,” thus making their owners have second thoughts, especially as people return to the office.
“We’re seeing so many dogs with anxiety and once a dog has anxiety, all kinds of behavioural issues can extend from that,” Dmytrow explains. “You’ve been home with your dog or cat or rabbit all day, then all of a sudden you’re going to back to work from 9 to 5 and they’re like, ‘wait a minute!’ “They can’t tell you how sad they are so it comes in the form of behaviour,” she says. Then, of course, there are pets with medical issues or special dietary needs, another expense that some people did not think through.
“One wrong move, medically speaking, could cost $500 or $1,000 at the vet,” Dmytrow says. “An ear infection for a dog is, like, $400 to treat. That’s someone’s groceries or rent.”
Those who call about surrendering a pet are directed to their online rehoming guide, but staffers work with callers to first provide assistance.
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