Winnipeg Humane Society freezes intake due to a ongoing capacity crisis

It’s being called a capacity crisis, with over 250 animals at the shelter and over 260 in care. It means the Winnipeg Humane Society can not take anymore animals until numbers drop.

The shelter will however continue to take in any sick or injured animals, but say taking in those animals will lead to more trouble for the shelter, when they are already overwhelmed.

“It puts a strain on pretty much all of our departments,” said Audrey Barnabe, the manager of intake and animal care at the Winnipeg Humane Society.

“Just trying to provide all these extra animals with the animal care they need, the behaviour care they need, the medical care they need, its overwhelming for everybody.”

The shelter attributes the crisis due to the rising cost of living.

“People just can’t afford to keep their animals, some bring them here, some want to bring them here, but we don’t have space, all the rescues are full,” said Barnabe.

While help is first needed in the community with fostering and adopting, Barnabe say this is an issue across Canada.

“Municipalities who don’t have any animal control they often call us for help, and we do help when we can, but that may not be feasible much longer.”

The humane society will be reducing adoption fees, in hopes it will help their animals find forever homes.

“We need adopters, we need fosters, we need donations of anything people can afford, small amount, big amount, food money.”