The Red Deer and District SPCA has seen a drop in the number of dogs it has up for adoption.
SPCA executive director Tara Heppell said the trend started over the summer and other organizations around Alberta have also seen a decline.
She is not sure why fewer adoptable dogs are coming to the local SPCA.
“We’re really just trying to figure that out ourselves,” Heppell said on Tuesday.
“We’ve actually been putting a call out to other animal shelters just asking if they need any help re-homing animals.”
The SPCA has room for about 30 dogs and currently has about 15 dogs.
Heppell is waiting to see how long the trend will last, and hopes one of the reasons for the drop in dogs is because more people are getting their dogs spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted puppies.
Meanwhile, the number of puppies coming from Hobbema to the SPCA has increased, she said.
Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force Society of Calgary is holding its first spay and neuter clinic for dogs and cats in Hobbema from Oct. 28 to 30.
The clinic, operated by volunteer veterinarians, is being funded by Muskwachees First Nations.
Clinics also provide other health services for animals and places unwanted animals with rescue groups.
The task force began its work in 2008 to reduce the number of dog attacks and bites on First Nations land and to encourage responsible animal care.
For more information, go to www.abtaskforce.org.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate