Animal welfare organizations call on province to deal with animal overpopulation crisis

Animal welfare organizations are calling on the province in an open letter to do more, as they say Manitoba is in the grips of an animal overpopulation crisis.

At least 45 animal welfare organizations have signed on, calling the situation a state of emergency.

“We have no more space for anyone. The calls that come in daily to all of the rescues here, and us having to tell them no,” said Melissa Robinson, the director of Feed the Furbabies Canada.

They say animal rescues can’t take on anymore, leading to stray animals attacking humans and even at times passing on diseases, while some remote communities have turned to dog culls.

“We have dogs that are paying the price with their life and that is what is so heartbreaking,” said Robinson.

Jessica Miller, the CEO of Winnipeg Humane Society added, “We currently have a 300-animal waiting list to enter our shelter.”

Advocates are calling for an end to backyard breeding and urging pet owners to get their animals spayed and neutered, and they want the province to spend 2.5 million to make animal services accessible across Manitoba.

“First and foremost, we want the communities to be safe. We will address the issues, we need to have a rural-northern communications base working with communities and organizations like the Winnipeg Humane Society,” said Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Agriculture Minister.

While rescues are strapped for resources every day people are now taking it upon themselves to try to help them.

“The solution is spay and neuter. There are animal charities that are participating in this, but this is an expensive venture. That’s why I started 100+ Manitobans Who Love Animals. I have faith in Manitobans, I want to be proud to be a Manitoban and right now I am not,” said Jane Meagher, the founder of 100+ Manitobans Who Love Animals.