Animal rescues across Nova Scotia are grappling with a severe increase in demand for rehoming pets, driven largely by housing instability and rising veterinary costs. As per CBC, Privateer Parrot Rescue, run by Diane Cooke in Liverpool, has been forced to stop accepting new bird surrenders due to overwhelming requests. “It has definitely gone through the roof, beyond what we’re actually able to accommodate,” said Cooke, noting that she’s now receiving about five requests a month, a sharp increase from previous years.

The rise in surrenders, particularly for birds, is attributed to several factors. With many people returning to work after the pandemic, birds that are closely bonded to their owners have developed behavioural problems, such as separation anxiety. But the primary cause, according to Cooke, is the ongoing housing crisis. “I would say that probably makes up most of our surrenders,” she said. Birds, due to their noise and potential destructiveness, are often unsuitable for renters, and toxic materials in new housing further complicate the situation.

According to CBC, rescue organizations are calling for action to alleviate the strain, including more spay and neuter clinics and government measures to prevent evictions based on pet ownership. Cooke emphasized the need for stricter breeding regulations for birds and increased capacity for organizations like the SPCA to accept more animals. “We definitely need to come up with something. I think [the situation] is out of control,” she said.

As rescues struggle to meet the demand, many, including Cooke, are focusing on educating the public about responsible pet ownership.