SPCA abundant with dogs looking to find homes before the holidays

The holidays tend to be a busy time of the year for the SPCA in Nova Scotia, and this year the shelter has more dogs up for adoption than ever. 

“We're dealing with a couple situations right now where we've taken in an extraordinary number of dogs just in the matter of a few weeks from a few notable situations,” said SPCA administrative director Heather Woodin. 

A large amount of dogs were rescued from homes where they were being overcrowded, she said, with each situation having ten or more dogs in the home. Many of those dogs are now in the care of the SPCA. 

“It was quite an anomaly, and it sort of happened all at once,” said Woodin in an interview with News 95.7's Todd Veinotte. “We're just now assessing these dogs and getting them up for adoption, and they're just starting to look for their forever home.”

The increase will put a strain on their resources, she explained, but the SPCA is hopeful that the holiday season will see many of these dogs find homes. 

“It would be excellent if people were thinking about adopting an animal and thinking about whether now is the time because these animals would really love to find a forever home rather soon,” she said. 

While “return rates” on animals at the SPCA don't typically increase after the holidays, Woodin urges careful consideration on whether this is the right time for a new pet to avoid having to bring the animal back to the shelter. 

“The SPCA's belief is that we should really treat each situation sort of as an individual. we would certainly encourage people to stop by the SPCA and look at our adoptable pets.”

Some factors to consider before adopting a pet include whether you have the time and funds to care for the animal properly, whether you can commit long term to the animal, and whether everyone in your family is comfortable and ready for the responsibility. She suggests that those hoping to adopt do their research.

If now seems to be the perfect time, the SPCA will help match families with dogs looking to find forever homes. The process can take as little as two to three days for dogs, she says. Cats can usually be adopted on the same day. 

“Pets adopted around the holiday we find are staying in homes just as long and sometimes longer than pets adopted at other times of the year through other means,” said Woodin.

If your holidays tend to be hectic and full of travel and guests, it might be best to wait to adopt, she explains. 

“Because you want to bond with your pet, and ideally its difficult to find boarding for a pet around the holidays, it might be better if you are travelling to wait until you're back.”

The holidays can be hard on any animal, old or new. Parties and gatherings with new people can make them nervous. 

“I would caution people that if they're adding a new pet to your home, make sure that they adjust to your home before you start bringing in other people to meet them. If you have a family gathering perhaps give them a quiet room to themselves,” she said. 

Hazards such as decorations and food exist as well, and Woodin urges pet owners to be aware of this. 

“You have to be aware of your particular pet and make sure that they're kept safe from those sort of things, and that they're not nervous of all the commotion and possibly escaping,” she said.