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Animal hospital full
Michael Piasetzki
The hospital's pound is full, the result of a steady influx of abandoned dogs and cats brought in by city bylaw officers.
Too many animals and not enough kennels add up to euthanasia - perhaps the most painful experience for any animal worker. "When there simply isn't enough space, there's really nothing we can do," said Laureen Schidlowsky, hospital general manager. "This is a tough time of year. It's starting to get very cold out there, and people are less tolerant towards dogs on the street. It's really frustrating." Schidlowsky said the pound's capacity is 12 cages housing 10 dogs, and 10 cages holding around nine cats. Some of those cages can be filled in an instant, with as many as five dogs a day brought in. "Cats can be numerous as well," said Schidlowsky, who said one dog, the least adoptable, has been recently put down due to the overflow. "We try to do it as humanely as possible, by injection and then we cremate the animal. It's never an easy situation." The hospital is trying to find foster homes for the animals, but that's a long process which involves screening the human owners for their suitability as a pet companion. The basic adoption fee is $105 plus GST. If the animal must be neutered or spayed the cost is extra, Schidlowsky said. "It's urgent these dogs and cats get adopted as soon as possible," said Janet Pacey, president of the Northwest Territories Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Pacey has received 15 responses to about 75 e-mails she recently sent out urging adoption and remains hopeful many animals will be reprieved. If you have room in your home and life for a new pet, you can visit the animal hospital, or view photos on the SPCA website.
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