Zoe’s Animal Rescue is struggling.

Co-founder Kath Oltsher said donations have declined and it’s forced the Edmonton-based rescue to make the decision to put a hold on all its programs.

“For right now, we are just wanting to survive the particular now, ” Oltsher stated.

Zoes has halted intakes, its spay and neuter program, and its helping hand program that provides affordable veterinary care in order to low-income families.

“Inflation will be hitting us hard, it’s hitting our vets hard — so they have to raise the price of what they charge all of us, even though the actual charge us doesn’t make them any money. ”

Oltsher mentioned this is usually also the first time in 11 years adoptions fees possess been lowered for dogs and are free for cats, in an effort to get more pets into forever homes.

“We are just suffering along like everyone else. ”

While it’s a stressful time, Oltsher believes it won’t be like this forever.

“We can keep going, that’s the beauty of what we do. I’m not paying for overhead, we’re using volunteers, volunteer’s houses — this just means we do less and less. ”

Many rescues have been struggling lately: first the pandemic hit, plus now there’s the high cost of living.

AARCS North Haven shelter’s Leigh McLean said the particular situation for their rescue is not as dire, but more and more animals keep coming in.

“Over the year last couple of years, we haven’t been able necessarily to go in and provide spay and neuter projects, or take in as many animals because of the particular restrictions from COVID. Now we have been starting to catch up a little bit due to the fact we have got all these extra kittens and puppies, ” McLean said of the animal increase.

McLean said some people have been surrendering their pets because they are being forced to pick between feeding their family or their pet: “It can be a really challenging choice. ”

She is also expecting to see a spike within surrenders, now that it is cold plus utility bills will increase.

“It feels like all of us have a more consistent populations than we all did in our shelter last year. ”

McLean said if someone is definitely looking in order to help, donations don’t have to be money: volunteering, fostering or giving items like old towels or animal goods goes a long way.

Other large Alberta organizations, like Saving Grace Pet Society inside central Alberta, are also running out of space to house animals .

The shelter in Alix offers also reduced its fees in an effort in order to have more animals adopted.

& copy 2022 Worldwide News, the division associated with Corus Entertainment Inc.