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“It’s the last thing they want to do. Typically they will go without a lot of things… without food… maybe they’ll skip rent for a month if they have to,” said Sage Pullen McIntosh, senior manager of community relations and communications.

It’s the last thing they want to do. Typically they will go without a lot of things… without food… maybe they’ll skip rent for a month if they have to

“They really want to keep their animals but they’ve lost everything. They have drawn on all the savings they have, or every family member they have, and they just don’t have anywhere else to go.”

McIntosh said the increase in strays is likely to be because some people can’t bring themselves to turn the animals in.

“They feel embarrassed… they feel ashamed.”

She said it can be heartbreaking when animals are admitted and owners have to say goodbye.

“It’s really tough for people. This is a member of their family.”

A senior psychologist at the Calgary Counselling Centre said having pets at home is good for people going through tough times such as job losses or changes in their personal lives.

Joanne Ginter said she had one client who had to turn over the family cats.

“The family was greatly distressed because mom had lost her job, and she was the primary breadwinner, and what are they going to do?” Ginter said.

She suggested that the children write a letter to the shelter talking about their cats and how they would like them to be taken care of.

“People get very, very attached to their pets. Pets serve as a calming technique. They serve as a sense of family. They’re just part of who we are and part of our identity.”