Animals at shelter in Mississauga need help ‘now more than ever,’ city says

Mississauga Animal Services is appealing to the community for help as funds needed to care for dogs, cats and other creatures at the shelter are at an “all-time low.”

Taking in and caring for some 2,000 animals each year, the Mississauga Animal Shelter says it needs public support “now more than ever” as it seeks to continue providing high-quality care for unwanted animals so they can be adopted into “forever homes.”

The shelter’s Special Care for Animals and Resources Fund (SCARF) has been depleted and the City of Mississauga’s Animal Services department is turning to the community for help.

The fund “plays an important role in ensuring animals receive the medical attention and essential resources they require, such as medication and specialized dietary food,” officials said online in a recent plea to the public for donations.

Money in the fund covers a variety of other needs/costs as well, officials added, including veterinary care, animal housing, equipment, essential items, spaying and neutering, and shelter improvements.

“The fund also helps to cover specialized medical care and costly surgeries for the many animals who need dental procedures, orthopedic surgeries and other major veterinary treatments, ensuring these animals receive life-saving treatments and can be adopted into loving forever homes,” officials said.

Of the 2,000 or so animals who arrive at the shelter yearly, many have been surrendered by owners who can no longer provide care while others come in as strays or require medical treatment, the shelter says.

Beyond dogs and cats, the shelter also cares for an array of other animals including birds and rabbits, officials noted.

Animal Services officials say contributions to the SCARF program are appreciated and “make a significant difference in the lives of pets who have nowhere else to turn to for care.”

The city added that many of the animals at the shelter have been there for months and are “patiently waiting to be adopted into their forever home.”

Money from the SCARF program helps keep the animals healthy so they can be adopted by people into loving homes, officials said.

To donate to the Animal Shelter fund (SCARF), visit the city’s website.

For other ways to donate and more information, visit this page on the city’s website.

(All photos: City of Mississauga)