Animal shelters inundated, holding emergency adoption events in Calgary

Two of Calgary's animal shelters say they are bursting at the seams with pets that need a home.

The Calgary Humane Society is holding an emergency adoption event from Wednesday to Sunday at 4455 110th Ave. S.E. Since the beginning of June, they have taken in 669 animals and now have 832 pets at a shelter meant to house 400.

Spokeswoman Sage Pullen McIntosh say the slumping economy is forcing more people to give up their pets.

"Often they're very upset and so they will let us know why they've had to surrender the animal," she said."They've had to move because they can't afford to live here, a loss of job, they can't afford the health care for the animal."

And the Alberta Animal Rescue CrewSociety (AARCS)says it has hit capacity and may have to shut its doors to new cats.

AARCS is holding an emergency cat adoption event on Saturday from11 a.m. to2 p.m. at its northeast Calgary shelter at Bay F, 3851 21st Street N.E.

"If you're ever looking to add a cat to your family, it would be the time now," said spokeswoman Lindsay Black.

Both groups are offering discounted rates on adult cat adoptions, with the Calgary Humane Society offering reduced rates on other pets as well.