Fort McMurray SPCA – Ft McMurray's Homepage

Pet Owner Re-Entry Packages Put Together by Fort McMurray SPCA, Donations Needed

The Fort McMurray SPCA has been working hard putting together re-entry packages for pet owners who return to the Fort McMurray community, and the organization is still in need of donations. Many people who had pets were forced to evacuate without these beloved members of the family, and the SPCA swept into action to rescue and care for as many pets as possible while their owners were evacuated. This has prompted the drive to solicit donations of pet supplies and pet related items, which will be used to create re-entry packages which ensure that pet owners have what they need to properly care for their pet. Just finding the necessary essentials for people in Fort McMurray may be difficult in the early stages of re-entry, and this may be especially true for pet supplies.

The Fort McMurray SPCA has worked tirelessly to rescue and care for pets who were left behind, usually because the pet owner was not allowed back to the residence where their pets were because of the wildfire. The re-entry packages for pet owners is just the latest effort by the organization. According to Tara Clarke, the executive director of the FMSPCA, “We’re really hoping to collect a large volume of supplies so we can ensure we’ve got supplies for everyone in need. We’re proud to be part of the community and we’re doing everything we can to ensure that pet owners have what they need so that pets can remain with their families. We’re continuing to work and understand what the community will need.” A full list of the items which are needed can be found on the Facebook page for the FMSPCA, and additional donation drop off dates and times will be announced as they are scheduled.

The Fort McMurray SPCA has seen an increase in the number of animal surrenders in recent months, but this has been offset somewhat by an increase in the number of pet adoptions as well. The struggling economy is partly to blame for the higher number of animals who are surrendered to the organization. For some paying bills and putting food on the table has become a struggle because of the poor economy and rising rate of unemployment in Wood Buffalo, and unfortunately the money available to these individuals is not enough to cover their necessary expenses as well as food, vet bills, and other expenses associated with having a pet. The cut backs and lay offs that the residents of Fort McMurray have experienced in recent months has had a trickle down effect so that even the animals are affected.

Fort McMurray SPCA executive director Tara Clarke talked about the rise in the animal surrenders and pet adoptions, saying “It’s quite an increase. Surrender numbers are certainly up over previous years.” From the beginning of November in 2015 until midway through December the numbers show that 57 animals were surrendered. During the same period in 2014 only 25 animals were surrendered, so the number of surrenders is more than double what it was a year earlier. This shows the extent of the economic problems that the population in Fort McMurray faces right now. Clarke said “Certainly a difference has been, as well, the reasons for surrender. There have been people losing their homes, losing their jobs… Those have been the circumstances (for surrender) in many of the cases.” As a result the Fort McMurray SPCA is focusing on programs which can help people keep their pets when they have hardships when at all possible.