Animal shelters are struggling to keep up with the growing number of animals in need, and students might be the perfect remedy to stop the overflow.
Across Canada, animal shelters are overflowing. In Canada, it’s estimated that over 300,000 dogs and cats alone enter shelters every year. Only 21 per cent of Canadian Humane Societies’ funding is government-issued, as major shelters ultimately rely on the community for support. Thus, shelters are routinely operating beyond their limits with a large annual flow of animals and little support to help keep the lights on.
Years after the COVID-19 pandemic, shelters have continued to face an overwhelming record of surrendered and abandoned animals, with an increase of 63 per cent from 2021 to 2022 being turned over to local shelters. This was after a large drop in animals making up shelters during the lockdown phase of 2020.
In cities like Kingston, home to thousands of university students, there’s a unique opportunity to make a difference. While students are frequently written off as too busy or irresponsible, they actually represent an untapped resource in the fight against the escalating shelter crisis by opening their homes and hearts to foster animals in need.
Many shelters, rescues, and adoption clinics tug on the heartstrings of the general community when promoting issues regarding stray animals. Shelter animals face consistent stigma, often seen as reactive, unpredictable, or “too much work” than buying pure-breds from breeders. This misconception is robbing many loving animals of their opportunity for adoption.
Although shelters provide a safe option for rescued animals, extended stays can have a large psychological toll on animals. The greater amount of time spent in this environment increases their risk of developing triggers, social withdrawal, and reactiveness.
Thus, the vicious cycle of animals developing negative behaviours in shelters inevitably leaves animals with very little admiration for adoption.
Shelters are being filled daily with an influx of domestic animals in need of a new home. Pandemic-era adoption trends are only increasing this crisis. A 2022 Pet Valu study reported that roughly three million new pets were adopted nationwide during the pandemic.
For many families, the pandemic provided the flexibility of spare time leaving families searching for companionship and past-time activities. Having a pet has been a widespread solution for many families during the pandemic, ultimately resulting in increased adoption rates.
In the years following the pandemic, lifestyles have resumed their regular routines, leaving families overwhelmed with the once-easy responsibility of owning a pet. Longer workdays, commutes, and social obligations left little time for the same level of attention these animals had grown accustomed to. The flexibility of constant attention came to a stop.
The Kingston Humane Society, for instance, set out a cry for help near the end of the pandemic when it hit a record of 294 animals in care. That number represented not just statistics, but hundreds of living beings whose lives had been upended twice: first by pandemic adoption, then by post-pandemic abandonment.
University towns such as Kingston have a huge opportunity to make a difference. With their dense student populations, flexible living arrangements, and high levels of social engagement, university students should be highly encouraged to partake in fostering.
Fostering provides animals with the opportunity to be in a loving environment while waiting for adoption. University student housing holds tons of engagement, perfect for animals in need of attention and socialization, as many are coming from neglectful households. The need for attention can work quite well in the setting of a student house with multiple occupants like so many students at Queen’s. This helps create a perfect environment for animals who would otherwise be trapped in cages for the large majority of their lives.
Contrary to what many believe, fostering isn’t an all-consuming task. Most shelters cover veterinary costs, food, and basic supplies. Many even accommodate student schedules by arranging short-term placements or easy drop-off options during exam periods and holidays.
Apart from student benefits, fostering’s a major part of an animal’s rehabilitation, increasing the likelihood for adoption, and minimizing the adverse effects from living in a shelter full-time. The reward animals gain from fostering, even for short periods of time, can mean the difference between a kennel and a couch.
Those unable to adopt fully due to their lifestyles and commitments can take on the task of fostering, providing a home without needing to take on the full responsibility of providing an animal with a forever home. Fostering is a great way to provide students with a companion, but it comes with the potential burden of emotional attachment for a transient friend.
Although the older generation played a major role in both the pandemic pet adoption surge and the subsequent wave of surrenders, It’s the younger generation of students who now have the opportunity to make a positive impact.
We, as students, can be the bridge between abandonment and belonging.
Vine is a third-year biology student.
Tags
Animal welfare, foster animals, Kingston Humane Society, Opinions
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April Cornish
I am blown away by the statistics. I think it’s a fabulous opportunity for all fur babies. This article is brilliant and needs to go viral. So many caring responsible students would love this experience. Nothing is better than a dog wagging its tail when you come home.