Winnipeg Animal Services euthanized its fewest number of dogs yet in 2014.

“Euthanization numbers are way, way down and that makes everybody happy. In the last three to five years, it’s nosedived to the lowest number we’ve ever had,” said Leland Gordon, Chief Operating Officer of the city’s animal services department.

The city’s Community Trends report notes 91 dogs were euthanized in 2012, which dropped to 52 in 2014.

Gordon said that’s plummeted from 486 euthanizations in 2002 and 217 in 2009.

“Animal Services is being very progressive trying to help the animals. Our staff and volunteers do everything we can to save as many as possible,” said Gordon.

He credits extensive social media efforts for helping owners reconnect quickly with lost pets. This includes an adoptable pet link on the winnipeg.ca homepage, connections with petfinder.com and an animal services Facebook page.

“Social media means more animals are being deflected instead of coming here,” said Gordon.

Staff even monitor a Winnipeg Lost Dog Alert Facebook page to check if any lost pets match those in their care.

And 311 agents can now reunite licensed dogs and cats directly with their owners without referring pets to animal services first. This process reunited 646 dogs with their owners in 2014 alone, said Gordon.

“More animals are being saved at the end of the day,” he said.

The number of dogs impounded by the city also fell, from 1,601 in 2012 to 1,108 in 2014. During the same period, the number of overall requests to animal services dropped from 13,396 to 10,233.

Unfortunately, some education may still be needed among Winnipeg pet owners. The Winnipeg Humane Society still takes in about 1,700 dogs per year, with 1,690 in 2012 and 1,761 in 2014.

Aileen White, the society’s communications director, noted the shelter takes some dogs for the city to provide veterinary and training services, along with its many other canines in need.

“Most of these dogs need TLC on either or both of those fronts,” said White.

White noted the number of dogs put down at the humane society hasn’t changed significantly in recent years, with 229 in 2013 and 214 the following year.

But she’s hopeful the new Joyce Gauthier Behaviour and Training Centre, which opened at the society last week, will help more pet owners succeed in keeping their pets.

“Most dogs in our community would benefit from it in some way,” she said.

Animal Services Statistics:

2012

Number of requests for service 13,396

Number of dogs impounded 1,601

Number of dogs adopted 497

Number of dogs returned to owners by Animal Services 819

Number of dogs reunited with their owner by 311 927

Number of dogs sent to rescues 130

Number of dogs euthanized 91

Number of biting dog complaints** 423

Number of biting dogs quarantined 126

Number of dogs running at large complaints 2,897

Number of cats running at large complaints 544

Number of active dog licenses 63,689

Number of by-law charges laid 1,522

2013

Number of requests for service 12,162

Number of dogs impounded 1,317

Number of dogs adopted 363

Number of dogs returned to owners by Animal Services 692

Number of dogs reunited with their owner by 311 856

Number of dogs sent to rescues 152

Number of dogs euthanized 70

Number of biting dog complaints** 402

Number of biting dogs quarantined 100

Number of dogs running at large complaints 2,755

Number of cats running at large complaints 487

Number of active dog licenses 64,538

Number of by-law charges laid 1,283

2014

Number of requests for service 10,233

Number of dogs impounded 1,108

Number of dogs adopted 371

Number of dogs returned to owners by Animal Services 671

Number of dogs reunited with their owner by 311 646

Number of dogs sent to rescues 61

Number of dogs euthanized 52

Number of biting dog complaints 269

Number of biting dogs quarantined 71

Number of dogs running at large complaints** 2,505

Number of cats running at large complaints 374

Number of active dog licenses 60,453

Number of by-law charges laid 795

Notes:

*311 reunites dogs wearing licenses with their owners 24/7. These dogs were returned to their owners without having to set foot in the Animal Services facility.

**Starting in 2014, biting dog complaints only include cases with human involvement.

joyanne.pursaga@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @pursagawpgsun