Top 8 ways to have a record amount of FUN at this year’s Dog Jog!
Blog
7 indoor activities to do with your pet
Here are a few fun family activities that you can do with your pet when it is too cold or rainy to play outside!
1. Mealtime Hide and Seek!
Instead of feeding your pet one big helping in a bowl, split the meal up into a several small portions. Have one family member distract your pet with some attention while the rest of you find clever places to “hide” your pet’s dinner. Make sure that all the places you choose can be accessed by your pet! We want the game to be fair and fun, not frustrating! The first time you play, choose very easy places that are near to your pet’s bowl and gradually make the game harder as your pet learns your tricks!
So you’ve registered for Dog Jog, now what?
So you’ve registered for Dog Jog, now what? Your Dog Jog fundraising helps us take care of thousands of animals every year! How can you help you ask? We’ve got some tips to kick your fundraising into high gear and get you started on the right paw for our Dog Jog adventure!
1. Personalize your Dog Jog page!
Every single person or family who registers for Dog Jog gets a fundraising page! Add text and a photo to tell everyone what your goal is! If you are part of a team you could even add a team photo to your page.
Thank You Everyone! Donations of Linens No Longer Needed
We can’t thank you enough!
In just over 24 hours we are bursting at the seams with towels, blankets and sheets! We don’t require any more donations at this point as our animals are well set up with clean supplies. Thank you to everyone who donated, shared our posts, left us messages of support or sent us positive thoughts. We are so excited to re-open on Monday!
Please make a monetary donation to Calgary Humane Society
Calgary Humane Society is Opening Soon
Parvovirus can be found in any areas that dogs frequent, including dog parks and neighbourhoods.
Calgary Humane Society closed its doors as a precaution to prevent the further spread of parvovirus within the facility itself but also to protect those susceptible animals in the community.
We are planning on reopening on Monday May 1, 2017
This will include our Adoptions, Reception and Pet Gear Store areas. We are making alternate arrangements for our behaviour classes. We will still not be taking in animals for the time being and are asking the public to please bring stray animals and surrenders to the City of Calgary or a nearby vet clinic.
For more answers on your parvovirus questions please see our website:
https://www.calgaryhumane.ca/calgary-humane-society-closed/
Recent parvo cases came from Alberta SPCA seizure
April 28, 2017
Calgary, AB — Immediate Release
On Monday April 24, Calgary Humane Society assisted Alberta SPCA with a large seizure from a property in Southern Alberta. The seizure involved a number of dogs, cats, rabbits and turtles.
The dogs ranged in age and breed and a sample was selected for testing for parvovirus. All of those tests came back negative. Shortly after the intake, CHS veterinarians noticed one dog displaying symptoms consistent with parvovirus and tested the dog immediately. The test came back positive. A second dog housed with the first dog was also tested and came back positive. Both dogs were at an advanced stage of the disease and were humanely euthanized at the direction of an Alberta SPCA peace officer.
A third dog that was part of the seizure has now tested positive for parvo however this dog is in the early stages of the disease and is currently being treated at an off-site clinic.
All of the dogs from the seizure were quarantined upon intake therefore the risk of the disease spreading to the rest of our animal population is low. As a further precaution, we elected to close the shelter in order to completely disinfect each area to further minimize the chance of the disease spreading to the rest of our animal population or the public. While some may feel this measure is extreme, we place a high value on the safety of our animals and those in our community. Parvovirus is very contagious and can be difficult to treat. Vaccination is the best way to prevent parvo.
Our team continues to test the isolated dogs that came in with the seizure to ensure no other cases develop. After extensive cleaning and a risk assessment we are planning to reopen our Adoptions area as well as our Store and Reception as of noon on Monday. We will continue to divert the intake of surrenders or strays to nearby vet clinics or the City of Calgary.
Calgary Humane Society Closed due to Canine Parvo Cases
April 25, 2017
Calgary, AB — Immediate Release
Calgary Humane Society has closed its doors as a precautionary measure following two positive canine parvo virus cases that came into the shelter on the afternoon of April 24. 2017.
Due to the severity of the disease, its contagious nature and the risk to the shelter’s animal population, the two dogs were humanely euthanized. All animals are being quarantined and all dogs are being monitored for symptoms of the disease.
Shelter staff are deep cleaning the entire facility to reduce the chances of the disease spreading and to ensure the safety of the public. The risk to the public is very low as these infected dogs came into the holding area of the shelter and did not come in contact with any animals in Adoptions.
The shelter is closed until further notice. We will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, if you have found a stray please bring them to your nearest veterinary clinic or the City of Calgary. If you have an animal to surrender, please either hold on to them or contact us for an appointment in the future.
We want to thank the public for their patience and understanding.
Parvo Closure and FAQ
What is happening right now at Calgary Humane Society?
We had two dogs come into our shelter on the afternoon of April 24 from out of town. One showed serious symptoms of Canine Parvovirus and when tested came back positive for the disease. The other dog that came in with the first dog was immediately tested and also came back positive for parvo. Both cases were fairly advanced and the decision was made to humanely euthanize them so they did not suffer further.
What is parvo?
Canine Parvovirus (aka “Parvo”) is a virus that can cause severe inflammation of the intestines in canines. The virus infects cells of the intestine leading to structural changes that prevent dogs from properly absorbing nutrients.
Canine parvovirus is a dangerous and extraordinarily contagious virus that spreads easily between unvaccinated dogs. If not caught early and treated aggressively parvovirus infection can be lethal.
What are the symptoms of Canine Parvovirus?
Severe vomiting and diarrhea (often bloody) and lack of appetite are common symptoms of canine parvovirus infection. Affected dogs usually develop signs of extreme lethargy (lack of energy), depression and dehydration with fever. Leukopenia (low white blood cells) can often be seen on blood work. In severe cases death can occur rapidly. Symptoms of canine parvovirus will typically develop after an incubation period of 3-10 days in infected dogs. Dog with suspected canine parvovirus exposure should be carefully monitored for symptoms.
What dogs are most at risk of Canine Parvovirus infection?
Unvaccinated dogs are at risk for canine parvovirus. Puppies and immune compromised dogs are at particular risk. Vaccinations are very effective in preventing canine parvovirus infection but puppies who have not completed their full vaccine series and newly vaccinated (vaccinated less than 10-14 days prior to exposure) may still be at risk of infection.
Is this an outbreak?
No this is not an outbreak. The disease at this point has been contained and we do not have any other animals who are exhibiting symptoms. We are continuing to deep clean, quarantine and monitor our animals to ensure this remains the case.
Don’t you vaccinate on intake?
We do however the vaccine takes at least a few days to take effect. The dogs in this case had already developed the disease and therefore the vaccine was not effective for them.
Why did you close your shelter?
As an organization we take in the most vulnerable animals, often with no information on their history or previous care therefore we closed our shelter in order to best protect the public and our animals. We have done a full deep clean of every corner of the shelter and are doing additional deep cleaning over the coming days. We have quarantined all of our animals in holding to reduce any chance of the disease spreading. This closure was mainly a precautionary measure as we take the health of our animals and the health of the public very seriously.
When will you reopen?
We have heard some confusion as to how long we will be closed. We anticipate opening within the next few days however we want to ensure the health and safety of our animals and the public’s therefore we will only open when we feel very confident it is safe to do so. We will post all of our reopening information on our website and social media.
I adopted a dog from you or attended training classes there recently, is my dog at risk?
Parvovirus is in the community and can be contracted from a dog park or on the street. The two dogs that came in with parvo were restricted to our holding area and did not have any access to our dog park, training areas or adoptions area therefore the risk to the public is minimal.
I was at the shelter yesterday, am I at risk?
The risk to any members of the public or animals in our adoptions area is very low and we are closing the shelter as a precaution. The risk to any vaccinated dogs is also extremely low however if you are concerned you are encouraged to contact your veterinarian.
How can the public help?
Right now we are asking members of the public to be patient with us as we work to clean and care for our animals. We will continue to communicate via our website and social media if we do need any additional supplies and will also let you know once we reopen to the public.
What should I do to protect my dog from parvo?
Vaccination is the best way to protect your dog from contracting parvo virus.
If l find a stray animal where should I take it?
We will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, if you have found a stray please bring them to your nearest veterinary clinic or the City of Calgary. If you have an animal to surrender, please either hold on to them or contact us for an appointment in the future.
Update on 88 Dogs brought in from Alberta SPCA
We have had many people ask for more information about the 88 dogs we brought in from Alberta SPCA a few weeks ago. Short answer: the dogs are doing pretty well but we still have some work to do. Most of them are chihuahua or yorkie breeds and a lot of them came to us with health and behaviour issues. Many have had surgery or are undergoing behaviour enrichment and are recovering and learning in foster homes, others have already been adopted!
One thing we have noticed about these dogs is their extreme level of fear. In fact the level of fear they are displaying is not something we see every day here at Calgary Humane Society. That is why we wanted to share some tips for those looking to adopt one of these dogs or any fearful dog for that matter. (more…)
Calgary Humane Society takes in 88 dogs from Alberta SPCA seizure
Media Release – April 4, 2017
Calgary Humane Society has taken in 88 dogs following an Alberta SPCA seizure from a home in Lethbridge.
The dogs were voluntarily surrendered to Alberta SPCA by the owner. The dogs are mostly chihuahua or yorkie breeds and range in age from as young as eight weeks to seniors.
Many of the dogs require extensive medical care and are being treated by CHS veterinarians and animal health staff. Most of the dogs are also very fearful and therefore require extra support in order to feel comfortable in their new environment. Once these dogs have been assessed, receive medical treatment and have been spayed or neutered, they will be made available for adoption.
Please check our website as all available dogs will be listed on our Adoptions page. Alberta SPCA will provide any updates regarding the seizure of these dogs and its investigation.
At this time, Calgary Humane Society does not require any additional food or supplies for the care of these dogs however, monetary donations can be made by calling 403-723-6000 or online at where a special “Lethbridge Dogs Fund” has been set up.
To donate to the Lethbridge Dogs Fund, please click here
