At the Animal Care & Control Centre (ACCC), we are passionate about animals and care for each one as if they are our own. ACCC is committed to being a safe harbour for sick, injured and lost cats as well as victims of animal neglect, cruelty and abandonment. But, consistent overcrowding conditions and the goal to provide the best care possible have prompted us to make changes. Therefore, we are asking citizens to make an appointment before they bring us healthy lost, stray or feral cats.
Why is the City Moving to this Method?
Cat overcrowding has become an unfortunate reality at ACCC. When too many cats are in the shelter, we are unable to provide the level of care they need. Overcrowded conditions lead to increased illness, more stress on cats and staff, higher euthanasia rates and result in fewer animals being transferred out for adoption.
Having a scheduled intake approach will allow for the centre to match incoming cats with outgoing placement into rescue and other feral cat programs. Scheduled intake is a best practice that has been adopted by shelters throughout North America with great success. Animal shelter practices across North American including ours, have adopted a Capacity for Care Model (C4C) using the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare as a framework.
A Scheduled Intake model improves the chances cats will find homes, ensures each cat is well cared for and gives every cat in our care the adequate space they need to live in the shelter in comfort.
