http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/mapleridgenews/community/38196399.html
People cherish their cats and dogs
By Phil Melnychuk - Maple Ridge News
Published: January 22, 2009 6:00 PM
Updated: January 23, 2009 2:33 PM
Maple Ridge SPCA buck provincial trend
People love their pets in Maple Ridge.
Despite a slowing economy, they’re not abandoning their animals in higher numbers as the economy contracts as is happening across the rest of B.C.
Statistics from the B.C. SPCA shows Maple Ridge is bucking the B.C. trend of people surrendering their animals because they can’t afford them anymore.
According to the SPCA, there’s been a 32-per-cent increase in the number of pets being surrendered to our shelters, “specifically because the owner couldn’t afford to care for the animal.”
The numbers don’t include the other reasons, possibly related, for giving up a pet – such as moving house, a new baby, vet bills, eviction or divorce.
In Maple Ridge, between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2007, 64 animals were surrendered to the local shelter, compared to 54 animals for the same period in 2008.
When it comes to the annual figures, Maple Ridge surrendered even fewer pets (235) in 2008 than the year before (304). That mirrors the provincial trend, which year to year shows fewer animals being left at SPCA shelters.
The numbers only include animals that have been voluntarily surrendered by the owners and don’t include stray animals.
But it’s hard to predict the number of orphaned pets who’ll be at the shelter on Jackson Road on any given day.
Maple Ridge SPCA worker Michel Massey said the numbers of animals at the shelter varies daily. Friday, the shelter had two guinea pigs rousting around in sawdust after being brought in, theoretically, as “strays,” and a cockatiel, brought in by a landlord after a tenant moved out and left it.
That day, only three dogs were in the shelter, including rambunctious Comet, a neutered labrador cross who was just brought down from the Prince George shelter.
For cats, it was a full house, with the SPCA housing 30 on site with 15 adopted temporarily into foster homes. A few, such as Rosie, a grey/brown/white cat, even had to be brought in from Chilliwack as a result of flooding fears in that city in the past few weeks.
People feel cats are more disposable, which is sad, said Massey.
The Maple Ridge SPCA is a no-kill shelter, where the vast majority of abandoned animals find homes, even if it means the animals hanging around for a couple months before finding a loving family. Black cats, though, such as little Deuce and King, are hardest to adopt, she noted.
“It’s so sad because there’s no reason for it.”
One hazard faced by the felines when owners let them out of the house are street gangs of coyotes who hang out in urban and suburban settings. The coyotes work together to chase down their prey, who may innocently think they’re just dogs. And Maple Ridge is a hot bed for such gang activity.
Massey said owners should keep their cats inside. Giving them a few toys and climbing fixtures will keep them from getting bored.
“There are hundreds of cats missing. Coyotes have nowhere to go and cats are free food.”
The SPCA has 20 to 30 pages listing the names of cat owners who, since June, have reported their pets missing. Each page has between 10 and 15 names.
As surburbia expands, the coyotes have nowhere to go. “They’re getting chomped and it’s not good.”
As for bears, they’re nearby in Albion park, said Massey.