Charity options: Calgary Guardian interview with Deanna Thompson by AARCS – AARCS

Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing homeless animals, abandoned and careless throughout Alberta while providing essential community support programs to address the causes of animal overpopulation. Through its shelter, the parenting network and the Internal Veterinary Hospital, AARCS offers a safe refuge and medical care that saves thousands of animals every year.

We talk to Deanna Thompson, executive director of AARCS, to learn more about the organization’s mission, the impact of their rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and how it continues to create a compassionate world for all animals.

How was the situation (in animal welfare) when you started?

The shelters and rescue organizations faced significant challenges 20 years ago, which include limited funds, overcrowding, high euthanasia rates and large populations lost in rural areas due to the lack of sterilization and castration. Public awareness about the responsible property of pets, such as the importance of sterilization/castration, regular veterinary care and mental and physical enrichment, was not as widespread as today. Over the years, we saw improvements with more people who chose adoption and obtain adequate veterinary attention for their pets. Pets have become more like the family than only a dog or just a cat. We were seeing improvements and the pandemic was the height in which we could not keep pets in shelters, since they were adopted so fast. Unfortunately, it did not last and the progress in the improvement of animal welfare has fallen in recent years.

How has it changed since then?

It improved for several years, but after the pandemic he has seen a return shift with less sterilizing and castrated (probably due to costs), more street than in previous years and higher surrender rates. During the pandemic, many people adopted or bought pets for company, which led to an increase in adoptions and promoting. However, after pandemic, shelters have faced an increase in pet surrender as financial challenges arise, changes in overvaluation and lifestyle arise. Shelters and bailouts now fight with greater demand and reduced donations.

In a positive note, community programs such as low -cost pets and veterinary food banks have become more frequent to help families keep their pets, which is great news! While there are challenges, pandemic finally brought greater awareness that animals are a great source of company for people and that their needs and well -being are important.

What else do you have to do?

The strongest application of animal protection laws is essential to address negligence, abuse and poorly ethical reproduction practices. The increase in financing and support for shelters and rescue organizations are vital to help us manage the growing demands, improve facilities and provide critical services such as low -cost veterinary care. It is important that we work in collaboration between governments, animal welfare organizations and communities to create a more unified approach to animal welfare, including animal disasters response. By continuing to advocate for animals and investing in education, legislation and resources, we can create a society where all animals are treated with respect and compassion.