Winnipeg animal shelters are bursting at the seams. Many say they are struggling to keep up with a huge influx of stray and abandoned animals. “Our back area is overflowing. I have about 40 kittens I’m dealing with,” said Darcy Johnston, owner of D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Centre. “They’re getting adopted fast, but until they get adopted, I can’t bring any more in.” Johnston said his shelter can’t really take any new animals at this point. He has a waiting list, and is only now dealing with calls from back in June. “Our phone rings off the hook. You know, 30, 40 calls a day, you know, is what we’re experiencing,” he said. They’re far from alone. The Winnipeg Humane Society has had an intake freeze since mid August. “We had just hit, a breaking point, a critical point in in terms of the care that we could provide,” said Carly Peters, director of communications and marketing with WHS. “It was just one of the ways we can try and catch up here.” Both the Winnipeg Humane Society and D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Centre say it’s hard for them to turn away animals in need of help. But to take in more, more need to go out the door. “In an intake freeze, some of the biggest ways to help our organization is to foster, fostering is a critical piece for us when we’re at capacity,” Peters said. Darcy Johnston also believes there needs to be more focus and investment from government in low cost spay and neutering programs. He said it’s something that could help to reduce the numbers of strays needing help in the future.
