Pets in Parkallen
Note: This article originally appeared in the November 2018 edition of the Parkallen News. For more about pets in our community, check out our new Parkallen Pets Facebook Group.
Pets in Parkallen
People in Parkallen certainly love their pets. Over the past few months, our social media overflowed with posts about lost and found animals. Watching these stories unfold, we’ve learned some things we wanted to share.
What do I do if I find a pet?
This all depends on the type of animal found, and its condition.
Dogs
Did you spot a dog running free in the neighbourhood? Or has a pup wandered into your yard?
For a friendly dog:
Check for tags — 311 may be able to give you contact information for the owners of licensed dogs
Post to our Facebook page
Ask neighbours if they recognize the animal
Call 311 to report the found dog
If a dog is running loose or you don’t feel comfortable approaching it:
Phone 311. Animal Care and Control officers will come pick up the dog. The City of Edmonton provides one free ride home a year for licensed pets.
Cats
Cats are often outdoor pets. If you find a friendly, confident cat and it appears to be happy and well fed, it’s best to leave it where it is. These are often owned outdoor cats and do not need assistance.
This lovely cat was left behind by the former tenant of a Parkallen home in 2017
Animal Care & Control will accept cats in certain situations:
• injured cats
• cats causing a nuisance
• very young kittens with a deceased mother
• unhealthy-looking cats.
Community cats are cats that were once owned but are now on their own after becoming lost or abandoned. They may be more skittish than owned cats but are otherwise healthy and independent. If you can confirm a cat is abandoned and think it could be re-homed, there are options. Consider contacting an animal rescue for help. In most cases, it is best to monitor the condition of these cats and bring them into Animal Care & Control if required.
Rabbits
We have had at least 2 domestic rabbits spotted in the community this summer. If this type of rabbit is outdoors unsupervised, they are most likely lost or abandoned. In this case, we recommend talking to neighbours and posting to our Facebook page. If possible, try to capture the rabbit and take it to Animal Care & Control.
An abandoned rabbit in Parkallen, summer of 2018
Injured Animals
If any found animal is injured it should go to Animal Care & Control. Outside of business hours, they would go to Guardian Veterinary Centre (5620- 99 Street). The veterinary staff will treat the animal and transfer it to Animal Care & Control when it opens. Due to limited space, the staff are unable to take in uninjured stray animals.
I’ve lost my pet, what can I do?
Take a walk through the neighbourhood, checking for signs of your pet.
Let community members know your pet is missing.
Talk to neighbours and those you see walking in the area.
Post to our Facebook group, Parkallen Pets.
Check the City of Edmonton’s Found Pet Search Tool. This website keeps track of all the animals brought into Animal Care & Control.
Contact the City of Edmonton at 311. City staff can help you make sure the contact information for your pet license is up-to-date.
Make sure to check Animal Care & Control right away, and check back with them often.
If Animal Care admits your pet, you may be responsible for fees. These include those for boarding or vet treatment, and any fines incurred. Dogs and cats stay at Animal Care & Control for three to ten days. If an owner is not found, staff will assess the animal for adoption eligibility. Eligible pets are then transferred to local rescue groups.
How can I keep my pet safe?
License your pet with the City of Edmonton and renew the license yearly. Pet licenses are easy to apply for online. They make it easy for anyone who has found your pet to ensure it gets back to you. This also helps you avoid the $250 fine for an unlicensed animal.
Spay or neuter your pet. Your animal will be less likely to wander off. It also prevents unwanted litters and makes licensing more affordable. Seniors and income support recipients are eligible for pet license discounts. This is usually a heavily discounted license for one spayed or neutered animal.
Microchip or tattoo your pet and keep the information current. Have you seen recent viral videos about pets found years after going missing? These stories are often made possible by these permanent forms of ID. Watch Animal Care & Control’s Facebook page for pet ID promotions. The City of Edmonton has offered free microchipping to licensed cats in prior years. Many vets also offer these services as affordable add-ons to a spay or neuter surgery.
Keep your animal indoors or closely supervised and on leash outdoors. Parkallen is home to wildlife that can be dangerous to your pet. Hawks, owls, porcupines, coyotes and skunks have all been spotted in the area. Wildlife can cause serious harm to your furry family member, even if they are in a fenced yard. These tips also protect your pet from injury or becoming trapped in a garage or shed.
Legally, people can trap your roaming outdoor cat and bring them to Animal Care & Control. City bylaws require you to keep your pet from wandering onto private property or causing a nuisance. If this occurs, you will be liable for any fees or fines incurred.
Purchase extra tags for your pet with their name and your phone number. Consider adding an outdoor or indoor designation on a tag for a cat. This helps concerned community members know if your cat is lost.
What if I can no longer care for my pet?
If you make the difficult decision to rehome your pet, there are several groups in the city that can help. Many Edmonton area rescues accept surrendered animals for a small fee.
Don’t offer your pet for free on social media or on buy and sell websites. A reputable rescue can make sure your pet goes to the best possible home. They will charge adopters a fee that will help cover the cost of the pet’s care while at the rescue. Rescue animals are spayed or neutered before rehoming. This prevents future unwanted litters. Under no circumstance should you release a pet outdoors to fend for itself.
Local Organizations to contact for help:
Animal Care & Control
311
13550 - 163 Street
Edmonton, AB
Guardian Veterinary Centre
(780) 436-5880
5620- 99 Street
Edmonton, AB
Edmonton Humane Society
(780) 471-1774
13620 163 St NW,
Edmonton, AB
Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society (GEARS)
edmontonanimalrescue.org/
Humane Animal Rescue Team
humaneanimalrescueteam.ca