Winnipeg Animal Services dealing with overcapacity due to stray dogs

Jennifer Medlicott explains why the shelter is bursting at the seams, with reduced adoption fees for long-term dogs and how the public can help.

Winnipeg Animal Services is dealing with overcapacity as it cares for more than 40 dogs—many of whom are strays.

Though the team is working hard to provide for these pups, they are also hoping to find them forever homes, as the organization can only comfortably care for 25 dogs.

According to community relations coordinator Jennifer Medlicott, the problem is that Animal Services is currently seeing an influx of stray dogs but isn’t getting that same uptick in adoptions.

“Three to seven strays are coming in daily,” she said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Monday.

“People aren’t picking up their dogs after that stray period where we’re trying to reunite them, and our numbers just don’t seem to get back to a stable number, unfortunately.”

To help alleviate the issue, Medlicott said it’s important for pet owners to spay and neuter their pups, as it makes them less likely to roam. She added that all dogs in the city need to be licenced, and that spaying and neutering reduces the fee.

“If they’re licenced and we find them, we can reunite them in the field. They don’t even have to come to our facility at all,” she explained.

“We can get them back with their loving owners right away, and that’s the ending we want to have.”

Those who are interested in adopting a dog are encouraged to visit Winnipeg Animal Services, located at 1057 Logan Ave.

Medlicott noted there’s now a reduced adoption fee for some of the organization’s long-term dogs.

“Just come down to our facility,” she said. “We have a board where you can see all the pictures of all the dogs available, and you can schedule a meet and greet and go from there.”

- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé.