Montreal SPCA at full capacity amid spike in pet surrenders

The holiday season is typically a slow period for the Montreal SPCA, but this year is different. The animal shelter says the tough economic climate has taken a toll on its operation, leaving it at full capacity.

"There's a financial reason behind every surrender," said Laurence Massé, the executive director at the shelter.

The SPCA currently houses 200 animals, with 600 other pets in foster care. According to Massé, the rate of adoption is not enough to keep up with the number of surrenders.

"We saw that the average length of stay of our animals doubled this year," she said, adding that more dogs are being dropped off than ever before.

"We saw an increase of 35 per cent more dogs than the same period last year - so it's really huge and again, for financial reasons."

Massé noted that cats cost, on average, $2,400 annually for basic care such as vet visits, food and toys. But for dogs, that cost goes up to almost $4,000.

"We have dogs that stay for months here because of behavioral challenges or medical challenges, so they stay for a longer period because people don't have money to invest in those animals," the executive director said.

Massé said that adopting an animal is a decision that should not be taken lightly and recommended fostering as an alternative for those uncertain, noting that the shelter covers expenses for fostered pets.

Theo Bourgeois has been fostering a cat and her two kittens for the last two months. He said he is now considering adoption.

"It's good for them. It's good for me, and I like the kitten vibes in the home," Bourgeois said.

The SPCA said it hopes more people open their homes to pets that were abandoned.