Pet Ownership Challenges Highlighted by Calgary's Latest Impound Data

Calgary remains a city where pets are treasured family members, but recent data on impounded pets highlights ongoing challenges in responsible ownership. The city's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, effective since January 1, 2022, underscores the importance of licensing, yet many pets still roam at large, leading to impoundment.

In 2018, only 34% of impounded cats reunited with their owners, compared to 84% of dogs. This disparity points to issues in identification practices among cat owners. Licensing and microchipping are emphasized, as pets with proper ID are held longer at shelters, increasing return chances. Calgarians face not only emotional distress over lost pets but also financial burdens with impound fees. Meanwhile, economic hardships drive some pet owners to surrender their pets, exacerbating rescue center pressures. Balancing enforcement with support remains a community challenge.

This Article Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary.