In an effort to support animal shelters and pet owners across the Lower Mainland, the 91原创 Animal Protection Society (LAPS) is launching a new adoption program.
The New Beginnings Private Adoption Program will help pet owners rehome their furry friends to a new owner without having to surrender them to a shelter, explained executive director Sarah Jones.
"Pet guardians and organizations that support them are facing tremendous challenges thanks to the post-pandemic economy and the long-lasting negative impacts on animal welfare," she said.
"We are seeing an overwhelming number of requests for animals to be surrendered to the shelter, and animals are being abandoned at alarming rates."
In August, LAPS had 106 animals in its care, well over its ideal capacity.
The issue LAPS is seeing most often is breeders breeding too much when there are no adopters or buyers, leaving he breeder with the responsibility of caring for a litter of five to seven puppies for months and the lack of time space to do so.
"There has been a significant drop [in adoptions]," Jones told The Star.
"We get four or five phone calls every day from people needing to surrender... and, right now, we can only take in the serious cases."
Through the new adoption program, Jones is hopeful it eases the burden on animal shelters and reduces the pressure on pet owners who can't keep their pets any longer.
"[The] New Beginnings Program has been created to empower adoptive families, ensuring a smoother transition and better outcomes for all involved," she said.
Any pet guardian int he Lower Mainland can advertise their pets rehoming needs directly to prospective adopters through the new program at LAPS.
"This platform significantly increases the chances of finding the perfect match for pets in need of a new home as interested adopters are aldready searching for their new pet," Jones commented.
The program also includes a support package for families seeking to rehome their pets which acts as a guide on what information to include for potential adoptees.
"We believe that by empowering pet guardians with the tools and resources they need, we can create better outcomes for pets and families alike 鈥� [which] reserves our sheltering services to those most vulnerable," Jones added.
People in need of the program can sign up online at , with fee of $25 鈥� or free if the pet was previously adopted from LAPS.
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