A new forever home for Ella

In addition to many services and programs offered by Animal Services, the team there also helps reduce the number of homeless pets in Calgary by finding forever homes for impounded cats and dogs. This is how, back in July, Melody Favero found her new little dog, Ella.

It all started about six months ago when Melody was thinking about getting a new furry friend. She looked at both the Calgary Humane Society and Animal Services websites to see which pets were available for adoption, but she couldn’t find the right fit for her.

The Animal Services team made it their mission to find Melody the perfect fit, according to her needs and preferences. They went above and beyond to offer her the best customer service.

They accomplished their mission the moment Melody met Ella, a sweet five-year-old, cream-coloured Shih Tzu mix. “Ella is the perfect fit, I feel like I’ve had her my whole life,” says Melody.

The adoption process through Animal Services was really smooth and easy. “They gave me all the necessary information according to Ella’s personality – what she likes and dislikes. Ella was cleaned up and had her dental surgery done when I adopted her. I felt so grateful toward the team, they made it such a good experience! If someone was looking to adopt, I would recommend Animal Services,” says Melody.

Melody and her two teenage boys are incredibly happy with Ella and the joy that her company has brought into their lives. “We feel so lucky – she’s such a good dog and is well behaved.” Ella is now part of the family and even has her own camping stuff, ready to embark on family adventures.

Thanks to the adoption program with Animal Services, Melody was able to give Ella a new start and a forever home. These are two of the many good reasons why adopting from Animal Services benefits healthy loving animals and happy pet owners.

Interested in adopting a dog?

To learn more about the adoption process, its benefits and what pets are available for adoption at the Animal Services Centre, visit www.calgary.ca/adoptapet.

Animal Services saves the day by reuniting lost cat with owner

On July 13, after spending a few days out of town, Tammy Brehaut returned back home to learn that her beloved cat, Pan, had gone missing.

Tammy called 311 and filed a missing pet report, put up posters in her neighbourhood, and with the help of friends and neighbours, looked for Pan in every corner, but her black cat was nowhere to be found.

She visited Animal Services to see if Pan had been found and impounded, but he wasn’t there. She also checked the Facebook page YYC Pet Recovery, but she had no luck.

“I had almost given up hope,” says Tammy. But she had faith that Pan would be found because he was licensed and had a permanent tattoo to identify him. She checked calgary.ca/animalservices every day to see if his sweet face popped up – the impounded cats feed is updated regularly.

It took nearly two months, but on September 11, Tammy received the phone call she had been waiting for. A fellow citizen had found her beloved cat and turned him in to Animal Services the night before, and thanks to the legible tattoo in his ear and licence, they were able to reunite Pan with Tammy.

“I was ecstatic he was found safe and sound!” recalls Tammy. “As soon as I got the call, I went to Animal Services to pick him up.”

The reunion was wonderful. “The Animal Services crew was great, very sympathetic, and extremely helpful. I would recommend going there if your pet went missing,” says Tammy.

As a responsible pet owner, Tammy wants to highlight the importance of licensing your pet and having a licence tag or permanent identification on them, such as a microchip or a tattoo. “If it wasn’t for his licence and tattoo, Pan wouldn’t be back.”

It’s also important to keep your information up to date so that if you move or change your contact information, Animal Services can reach you quickly and easily.

For more info on animal licensing, lost pets, and adoptable cats and dogs, visit calgary.ca/animalservices.

Seniors for Seniors: Finding a Furever Home

Pat S. is a Calgary senior who has found a great way to cure loneliness: adopting a pet! Pat has adopted two animals from Animal Services and she credits them with improving her quality of life.

Pat adopted her first pet from Animal Services in 2009, a little dog she named Teddy. Teddy had been abandoned by his owners and was in need of some TLC when he landed at Animal Services. Luckily, the staff at Animal Services were able to get him back on his (four) feet again, so he could have a second chance at a happy life.

“Animals bring so much joy to our lives and give us purpose,” says Pat. “All they want is to be loved, and there are so many animals waiting for someone to come and rescue them.”

Teddy was a wonderful companion until the day he passed in 2016. The loss left Pat crushed and unsure if she could open her heart to a new pet. “I was devastated. I wasn’t going to get another animal,” remembers Pat. But her brother in Ontario worried about Pat and knew how lonely she would be without Teddy. He suggested she get a cat. Pat thought about it, but as a senior she worried about bringing a pet into her home and then having to surrender it, if she got sick.

Luckily Pat is surrounded by friends and neighbours who agreed with her brother. Pat’s best friend, Mary, said she would be responsible for finding a new home for her pet, should Pat get sick.

So Pat decided to open her heart and home to another pet. She’d had such a great experience adopting form Animal Services the first time, so checked on-line and saw Sophie, a beautiful black and white cat who stole her heart.

“The veterinarian technician let me meet Sophie and it was like she picked me. She put her paw on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes,” remembers Pat.

It took four more visits and a lot of reassurance that Sophie would be looked after if anything happened to Pat, but Sophie did find her furever home with Pat. The two have been inseparable ever since.

“Just because a person is a senior it doesn’t mean that they should miss out on things like having a pet. Having a plan for Sophie’s well-being, should anything happen to me, has allowed me to bring the joy of having a little animal in my life again,” says Pat.

Animal Services offers a “Seniors for Seniors” program year round. Seniors over 60 get 60 per cent off the adoption fee for a cat or dog that is seven years or older.

For information on adopting from Animal Services, including a list of current adoptable animals, visit calgary.ca/adoptapet.

To learn more about Calgary Seniors Week, visit calgary.ca/seniorsweek.

Keep your pets safe this holiday season

The holiday season is a joyful time for many who want to include their pets in the festivities by sharing treats from the dinner table and having them be a part of the celebrations. This season also means that dog owners are often taking their pets outdoors in below zero weather conditions.

Here are some tips to keep your pet safe indoors and outdoors this winter:

Adventures outdoors: walks and trips to off-leash parks

• Check the temperature and forecast before you leave the house to ensure that you and your pet are properly prepared for the winter weather conditions. (Paws, ears and tails are all susceptible to frost bite, similar to exposed human skin.) Consider purchasing your pet booties or paw covers.
• Picking up after your dog is vital no matter the weather conditions. Dog waste attracts mice, coyotes and other wildlife to urban areas. While it can be more difficult to pick up dog waste from snow, it is still the law. Gloves (versus mittens) can be easier to maneuver poop bags
• Even if there is snow on the ground, dogs are only allowed off-leash in designated off-leash areas. Your pet must be leashed in parking lots and on shared pathways. If you’re unsure due to snow or other elements, keep your dog leashed until you’re certain.
• Dogs are often excited about fresh snow! No matter the season, owners must ensure their dog is under control at all times. This means the dog must remain at a distance where they will respond to owner voice, sound or sight commands. It means the dog must not chase, threaten or attack people or animals.
• If travelling with your dog in a vehicle, remember that when the engine is turned off, your vehicle essentially becomes a refrigerator (temperatures drop significantly).
• City dogs are domesticated and not necessarily climatized to extreme weather conditions. Even northern breeds aren’t necessarily used to being outside for extended periods of time in freezing temperatures. Use caution.

Indoor festivities: considerations for homes with pets

Food

• Leftover food that is rich, spicy or fatty can be hard for pets to digest.
• Many foods are toxic or harmful for pets, including: turkey bones, artificial sweeteners and other baking ingredients, chocolate and alcohol.
• Secure the lid on your garbage can or put your garbage outside right after the meal.

Décor

• Poinsettias, Christmas cactus and holly are toxic to cats and dogs. 
• Secure your Christmas tree if you have pets that like to climb.
• Hang breakable ornaments higher on your tree.
• With natural trees, make sure pets don’t drink the water.
• Shiny tinsel and ribbons are appealing for cats, but if swallowed can cause serious injury or lead to surgery. 
• Unplug holiday lights and extension cords prior to leaving your home. 
• Don’t put candy or chocolates under the tree.  

Socializing

• While hosting parties, give your pet a safe and quiet place to retreat.
• Be mindful as guests come and go as it’s easy for pets to slip out unnoticed.

It is important to call your veterinarian or take your pet directly to an animal health facility if you suspect your pet has eaten any toxic foods or substances. Check out the Responsible Pet Ownership Page for additional pet safety tips and information about off-leash areas.

June is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month: Adopting a cat through Animal Services

June is nationally recognized as Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat month for prospective pet owners and the City of Calgary’s Animal Services Centre currently has an influx of adoptable cats. This higher than normal volume is due to the Animal Services Centre assisting the Humane Society in time of need (due to the organization’s recent temporary facility closure to manage canine parvovirus).

As a result of this support, Animals Services has taken in stray cats that would normally be housed by the Humane Society and currently has 53 adoptable cats and kittens.

Calgarian communications professional, Alysha S., was intrigued by the cat adoption process because of her busy lifestyle, personal nature and love of animals.

“I grew up always having pets as part of our family and after university I had been thinking about getting an animal of my own for quite some time. Based on my lifestyle and the size of my home I thought a cat would be the perfect addition to my life. I visited both the Humane Society and Animal Services to meet some cats and see if there was one that seemed like a good fit for me.”

Alysha knew it was love at first sight after visiting the Animal Services Centre facility, “As soon as I saw Darlene, I knew she was the cat for me; the most adorable, small, black, adult cat!”

From there, she found the adoption process at Animal Services was easy, quick, and educational, laying the groundwork for her and Darlene’s new adventure.

“Darlene had up-to-date shots and a recent veterinary check-up. I was provided a one month trial for pet insurance and information on how to insure my new cat. I felt ready and prepared to take my cat home and start our new journey together,” said Alysha.

Any pet owner in Calgary will tell you their animal plays a vital role in their lives and overall lifestyle. “Darlene has been a great addition to my life; we ended up being the perfect match. Being a laid back, busy, young professional, Darlene has the perfect temperament and makes a great roommate.  She greets me at the door every day when I get home from work and provides me with the adoration and caring companionship I was looking for from a pet,” said Alysha.

She would recommend adoption to any prospective pet owners, “The impact adoption has on an animal is amazing to watch as you and your pet get to know one another. Darlene took a while to warm up to her new surroundings but as soon as she learned to trust me, and that she was finally home, her true personality was able to shine.”

Licensing your pet cat is also an important process that Alysha recommends. “Although I don’t know the background of my cat, it is clear that she had been someone’s pet at some point. I can’t imagine my life without her, so for me it’s an obvious decision to license her in the event she was able to wander outside. It’s also inexpensive and easy. I love that I can renew Darlene’s cat license online,” said Alysha.

Pet ownership has proven benefits to the health and social well-being of owners, in addition to the positive impact of providing a home and social setting for a homeless animal in need. Through adoption you are contributing to making a better Calgary for all Calgarians; human and furry citizens alike.

How to Adopt

To learn more about the cats available for adoption at the Animal Services Centre, visit www.calgary.ca/adoptapet, call 3-1-1 or visit the facility at 2201 Portland Street S.E.

Animals Service Centre staff welcome walk-ins during business hours and are happy to answer your questions about adoption and pet ownership.