The City of Hamilton is seeking public input on an animal adoption service

HAMILTON, ON – May 31, 2017 - In February 2015, Hamilton City Council directed Animal Services staff to investigate the feasibility of establishing a City Animal Adoption Service in partnership with the Hamilton-Burlington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HBSPCA). As part of this investigation into providing a municipal adoption service, staff is engaging the public for their opinions through an online survey called Animal Adoption…Is It an Option?

Since 2003, the City of Hamilton has operated the municipal animal shelter. Animals that come into the shelter could be lost, have strayed from home or been surrendered by an owner that can no longer provide care for them.

The City’s animal shelter does not have an adoption service. Animals that come into the shelter that are not claimed by their owner are given to rescue partners in an effort to find new homes. Currently, the HBSPCA is given first selection of the animals for their adoption program. Animals that remain can be selected by an animal rescue partner.

“Being part of the development of the City of Hamilton's Animal Shelter is a very exciting and rewarding initiative in providing unwanted animals a second chance. Shelters are full of healthy, sweet and smart animals who were surrendered not because of their behavior but generally due to the issues of their guardians. The most common reasons animals are surrendered is because of a change in circumstances of their family; a divorce, a move, a new baby, or because their family was not ready for all the responsibilities of having a pet and 'no longer has time for them'. Shelters and rescue groups offer adoptable dogs, cats and many other animals a second chance.”  - Sam Merulla, Councillor, City of Hamilton

Establishing a municipal adoption service would provide another avenue to find a home for healthy, adoptable animals. Some benefits of adopting a shelter pet include:

• Saving the life of a creature.
• Rescuing an animal can be emotionally rewarding.
• A pet has the ability to uplift your spirit, improve your health and quality of life.

If you would like to have your say, please fill out the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/hamiltonanimaladoption

Quick Facts

• Animal Services took in and cared for 5411 animals in 2016.
• A total of 3248 dogs and cats came into the shelter in 2016.
• In 2016, a total of 647 dogs and 138 cats were returned to their owners.
• In 2016, the HBSPCA took approximately 37% and rescue partners took approximately 33% of the dogs and cats for their adoption programs.

Additional Resources

https://www.hamilton.ca/animals-pets
www.facebook.com/HamiltonAnimalServices