Important information regarding non-emergency cat pickups at veterinary clinics

Effective Monday, June 5 Winnipeg Humane Society emergency response drivers will no longer be picking up stray cats from veterinary clinics.

As a non-government, charitable animal welfare agency, we have to make sure that injured or neglected animals take priority over animals that are healthy and have a caretaker, even if it is a short-term one. Our emergency response team has been tied up daily driving healthy animals to the shelter, which is not a prudent use of our resources.

Another important aspect is that as part of the Million Cat Challenge – in which we are committed to try and save every cat coming our way and provide double-caging to all our feline residents – we must partner with finders of strays to see if they can help us contain the cat and ask around the neighbourhood before turning the cat over to us. People with allergies, other cats, or unable to keep the cat for any reason will be the priority either to surrender at the WHS or to pick it up on a designated day from their home.

Individuals who have found a stray cat should email [email protected] or call the Winnipeg Humane Society Intake Department at 204-982-2025 and set up a surrender appointment as soon as possible. The Intake Department phone has a live operator during the following hours:

• Monday to Friday: 11 am to 6:45 pm
• Saturday: 10 am to 5:30 pm
• Sunday: 12 noon to 6:00 pm

At any other times, neighbours can leave a message with their call back number and we will get back to them as soon as possible.

By asking finders of stray cats to contact the WHS directly we can better allocate resources and interview the finder to gather key information to fulfill our mandate of assisting stray cats.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to e-mail us.