A registered non-profit group that helps animals in need located on Manitoulin Island says it has been overwhelmed dealing with a large increase of dogs and cats being abandoned.

Manitoulin Pet Save has been saving creatures since its inception in 2015.

Close to 400 dogs and puppies have come through the rescue plus over 550 cats and kittens.

The volunteers said lately, they are feeling confused and burned out after seeing so many pets being forgotten or surrendered by their owners.

“Both emotionally, physically financially. We all lose sleep at night over these animals and the ones that we know need to come into care, ” said Carly Valiente, the volunteer and the dog intake and adoption coordinator with Manitoulin Pet Rescue.

“Sometimes having to say no, and the stress of saying simply no, as well as the consequence of saying no, if we don’t have space for an animal. ”

The cat consumption and ownership coordinator with the group, Kathy Jewell, said numbers are usually higher than they’ve ever been.

“Everyday I’m alerted in order to cats that are strays in the community, female cats with litters of kittens, people wanting to surrender, there’s been a lot of abandoned pet cats this year, ” stated Jewell.

“I used to get cycles where in the spring time we’d have lots, we’ve gone into December with only a couple adult felines and now we’re going into Dec with lots of cats and that’s unprecedented. ” The cat intake plus adoption coordinator using the team told CTV News intake numbers for cats and kittens are higher than they have ever been. (Supplied) Valiente mentioned it’s unfortunately become a regular occurrence.

“Just about three or four days ago, the homeless dog came across my radar that literally had no home, it was just left, the particular owners simply moved away, ” she added.

“Just within the last couple of months I can think of four that have just already been dumped on various parts of Manitoulin. ” The particular dog consumption and re-homing coordinator along with Manitoulin Pet Rescue told CTV Information they are usually needing to turn animals aside because they do not possess space with regard to them. (Supplied) The group added that will in the near future it’s hoping to receive government funding to help find a facility to house pets in require on the island, especially if the particular numbers continue to climb.

“We have so many incredibly dedicated fosters plus volunteers who would absolutely love to visit the shelter, assist our animals, walk the particular dogs, feed them… that is not an issue by any means but all of us just need a facility, ” said Valiente.

In the meantime, without a facility, the rescue group said with all the large influx associated with animals, it’s currently in need of a number of foster homes, as well because donations associated with cat and dog food or monetary contributions.

For those interested in helping out, you can contact the Manitoulin Dog Rescue group on Facebook.