Walkathon supports programs to keep pets with their families

Across Canada Humane Societies are seeing a greater number of animals that are being surrendered with behavioural and medical needs and seeing animals stay in shelters for twice the length of time they did last year.

“Some of the reasons for the increase in medical and behavioural needs is being attributed to what is happening in our economy. As folks are experiencing housing insecurity, food insecurity, and inflation there are rising costs associated with owning pets,” said GTHS executive director, Sonya Reichel.

She said the cost of pet food, and veterinary care are going up, and if people are evicted from their homes they may not be able to find rentals that accept pets, forcing them to give them up or seek assistance.

The GTHS runs a pet pantry – a food bank for pets – and at the end of June this year there have been the same number of requests for assistance from the pet pantry as throughout all of last year.

Reichel said adoption rates are stable but the dogs and cats are at the shelter for a longer period than before.

“We’re still figuring out what it all means,” she said. “The phone lines are quiet.”

While some people are struggling, others may be traveling again, and are no longer cooped up at home.

She said that contrary to public perception, people are not necessarily returning pets they adopted during the pandemic, it is more that the economic impact of rising costs are putting a strain on vulnerable people.

“It’s that people in our community are struggling, and when you are struggling and have a variety of crises that you are dealing with, in some cases you’re no longer able to take care of the furry member of your family,” said Reichel. “It’s incredibly heartbreaking because generally the people who are vulnerable in our community need their pets the most. Their pet is what gets them out of bed in the morning, is their companion, provides them with unconditional love – is their safety net in many cases. So, losing their pet can be a loss of hope.”

Reichel said that’s why the whole purpose of the GTHS is to keep pets with their people. The reason is twofold: Because home is where the pet is safest and where it wants to be; and also because the GTHS is all about the wellness of people.

“We know that compassion for pets is founded in compassion for people,” she said.

In addition to the pet pantry, the facility also offers an emergency boarding program for the pets of abused women fleeing domestic violence until they are relocated. Reichel said they typically do about 10 emergency boards per year and this year they are already up to 17. They also provide an emergency medical assistance program for one-time care for those in financial need. In 2021, they had 29 requests throughout the entire year, and this year they are up to 65.

GTHS programs are supported through its largest annual fundraiser, the Walkathon, now in its 10th year. The GTHS Walkathon is a virtual fundraiser that runs July 31 to August 6. The events culminate at Tails of the Mountain Dog Festival with a celebration walk at 1 p.m. on the final day of the campaign.

The GTHS Walkathon ensures the Humane Society has the resources to support 1,500 homeless pets, the stray and surrendered pets that come to the GTHS from Clearview, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Town of the Blue Mountains and Meaford, and are sometimes able to support requests for assistance from Owen Sound, The Bruce Peninsula and Saugeen Shores. The funds also support the 3,000 vulnerable people in the community who access the outreach programs and the animal hospital, and also support 2,000 people who access a youth program.

“Our fundraisers rely on community members that roll up their sleeves and get involved. These events take dedication, determination and local champions that understand just how valuable every dollar is for our mission and work,” said Reichel. “We are so proud of event sponsors like Huronia Alarms, they are true partners of our work. Now we are recruiting champions, local community members that will lead us, inspire us, and ensure that the most vulnerable in our community always have safe haven.”

Register at gths.ca.