If you have been looking for the right time to adopt a furry friend from in Calgary, this weekend may be it.
The City of Calgary, as well as the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS), are holding special adoption events over the weekend, offering reduced fees on animals for adoption.
The adoption groups said the events are spurred by the large number of animals at the shelter — particularly cats — needing forever homes.
“We have over 300 cats and over 150 dogs in care currently,” Deanna Thompson with AARCS said. “Of course not all of them are available for adoption but unfortunately, we’re not able to help more if we can’t find homes for some of these guys.”
Prices to adopt a cat will be reduced to $81.50, while a dog will cost $108.50 at the city’s Animal Services Centre and AARCS has also reduced its fees.
All cats and dogs at both locations have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, according to a news release.
At the city-hosted adoption event, owners will also receive a free animal licence for six-months, a six-week trial of pet insurance, food, and records of the animals behaviour and medical history during the animal’s time in the shelter.
The shelter said potential owners should consider the requirements and added costs when adopting an animal.
Some things to consider:
- the animal’s age and predicted lifespan-exercise requirements
- the animal’s fully mature size
- how much it will cost for veterinary care
- what type of habitat the pet needs to be healthy and whether pets are allowed in your residence
All pet owners are required by law to license their cats and dogs, according to the city. The city said because of this bylaw, Calgary has the highest return-to-owner rate in North America, but said even though they do have such a high return rate, shelters still are overwhelmed.
“Everybody has a different life situation and some of those situations are unfortunate,” Patti Smadis with the City of Calgary Animal Services said. “In those cases, if your pet is here, just let us know you’re not able to look after the pet and we’ll be able to talk to you about that.”
If an animal is not claimed by its owner, the city said it begins the process to determine the animal’s adoptability.
If you have found a stray cat or dog, you are asked to call 311. You can also take the stray to a vet clinic which will call the city for impounding.
If you have lost your pet, call 311 to file a lost report. Photos of all found animals are also posted on the animal services website.
People interested can visit Calgary Animal Services at 2201 Portland Street S.E this weekend between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.