NB SPCA reports big spike in animal protection calls
Agency blames difficult economic conditions, a tight rental market and the aftermath of the pet-buying spree during COVID restrictions
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The New Brunswick SPCA blames difficult economic conditions, a tight rental market and the aftermath of the pet-buying spree during COVID restrictions for a 27 per cent spike in animal protection calls over the past four years.
And it warns 2024 is on track to be even worse.
The animal welfare agency says it was called out to 1,861 animal protection calls in 2020. By 2021, that jumped to 2,019, in 2022 it was 2,126. Last year, the group said its officers answered 2,365 such calls.
So far this year, it’s seen 149 more calls than the same time last year.
NBSPCA chief animal protection officer Tony Porter said many of the calls are related to pet abandonment and can likely be traced back to the rise in dog adoption during the COVID restrictions. Now, with a tougher economy, rising inflation, leaving home for work and other factors, people are having a hard time keeping up with their commitment.
“Times are getting tougher, economic conditions are not easing up,” he said in a news release. “The last three or four years have put significant pressure on pet owners. They are trying to cope with being able to afford housing, groceries and childcare. Sometimes, animals are not the top priority, and they are not being looked after properly.”
Affordable housing and rental accommodations are also a factor, he said, noting that officers have come across several animals left to fend for themselves in the outdoors.
Last year the agency said it had 365 reports of pets being abandoned in New Brunswick homes, apartments or outside. That compares to 141 calls in 2022.
More than half the calls to the NBSPCA were public complaints of abused animals, inadequate food, water or shelter, and injured animals, the agency reported.
He issued a plea in the release for owners to reach out to family or friends – or even the SPCA itself – if they’re struggling.
“It may be hard to ask for help, but no one is going to judge them for doing that. We want people to do the right thing for their pets and we’re here to help as much as we can,” he said in the release. “That said, we are a provincially mandated enforcement unit and people who willfully neglect or abuse their pets will face enforcement actions.”
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