BC SPCA experiencing influx of unwanted puppies, including pandemic pets | 24CA News
The society accountable for investigating animal cruelty offences in B.C. is experiencing an inflow of surrendered puppies, a few of which had been bred as pandemic pets.
The BC SPCA mentioned on Wednesday that 350 puppies have come into its care this yr, in comparison with 200 on the identical time in 2022.
A breeder in Surrey not too long ago surrendered 17 canine, together with 11 eight-day-old Labrador retrievers, three 10-week-old border collie-cross puppies, and 5 grownup retriever mixes.
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“Many of the puppies coming into SPCA care are from individuals who turned to breeding to make money during the COVID pandemic when the demand for pets was high, but who are now overwhelmed with the costs of caring for animals as the market for their puppies has decreased,” the society mentioned in a news launch.
According to Eileen Drever, the BC SPCA’s senior officer for defense and stakeholder relations, the latest batch of puppies had been sick with roundworm and giardia, a parasitic an infection that causes diarrhea, and sometimes comes from contaminated water, meals, or contact with contaminated animals.
The inflow has strained the society’s sources, she added.
“Although puppies do tend to get adopted more quickly than adult dogs, puppies and their moms require a huge commitment of time and energy from the BC SPCA’s foster volunteers,” mentioned Drever.
“Moms and their puppies require round-the-clock care until the puppies are weaned. The puppies also need to be house-trained and socialized.”
The BC SPCA mentioned it doesn’t foresee a slowdown in canine being dropped on its doorstep and inspired the general public to purchase pets from respected breeders, or higher — undertake one from the SPCA.
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