Adoptions will be free at Montreal SPCA on Sunday

Article content

In an effort to free up space in its cages, the Montreal SPCA is holding a no-fee adoption day on Sunday.

Nearly 40 cats, 17 dogs, 25 rabbits, more than two dozen small animals and one bird will be available for adoption, the shelter said in a news release.

The event comes as the SPCA deals with an influx of surrenders surrounding July 1 Moving Day. This year, the shelter saw an average of more than 20 surrenders per day between June 29 and July 5, for a total of 153, it said. That’s in addition to surrenders for reasons unrelated to moves, including increasingly expensive veterinary care.

Article content

Sunday’s event will include activity tents for children, water stations and a photo booth, the SPCA said. It suggested bringing family members along to reserve your place in line.

“The goal of a no-fee adoption day is to create an event that will bring in as many families as possible and to introduce the Montreal SPCA to a new audience,” the news release reads.

The shelter noted families must keep in mind there are costs associated to owning an animal. The average annual price of caring for a cat, according to the Association des médecins vétérinaires du Québec, is $2,400. That number ranges between $2,700 and $3,400 for a dog and averages at $1,500 for a rabbit. Those estimates include food, annual checkups, vaccinations, parasite treatments, accessories for grooming, toys and animal permits required by some cities.

The shelter stressed no-fee adoption events have proved successful elsewhere do not attract families who are unable to financially care for their pets.

“The shelters organizing these special days did not see a resulting increase in animal returns,” the release reads. “Rather, they observed an increase in adoptions.” 

Article content

Article content

It added the adoption process is the same — shelter staff will discuss the animal’s needs with prospective families to ensure it’s a good match and suggest an alternative animal if it isn’t.

Earlier this month, the shelter announced it had seen an increase of 21 per cent in surrenders in the first few months of the year compared with the year before, even before Moving Day. Cages have been full for months, executive director Laurence Massé said at the time. Staff even had to start using their office space to house some of the animals amid the crowding.

That’s why it’s so important to adopt instead of encouraging breeders.

“You really know what you’re getting into when you adopt an animal at the Montreal SPCA,” Massé said earlier this month. “We take the time that we need. We make sure when you meet the animal … we give you all of the (information). So there’s no surprise when you adopt an animal.”

All animals available for adoption have been seen by a veterinarian. Dogs and cats are fixed, microchipped, treated for parasites and given their first shots. Dogs have been given rabies shots. Rabbits are sterilized.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 5215 Jean-Talon West. Families are asked to bring a piece of ID and to bring a carrier or plan to purchase one at the shelter (other than for dog adoptions).

Article content

Article content