WINNIPEG - February 18, 2010 - Animal Services officials are thrilled to report there has been a 62% increase in adoptions in a one year period, and officials say it’s thanks to the Internet.

Animal Services COO Leland Gordon says the agency joined Petfinder.com a year ago. The website features pictures and videos of dogs for adoption at Animal Services. Animal Services’ volunteer group also launched a Facebook page which has also helped increase the number of adoptions. The site has attracted 1,300 Facebook users in only eight months.

“By accessing these online features, people from far and wide can see the dogs that are up for adoption, and they can do it without having to physically visit the facility. Adoptions have been completed with families from as far as Dryden, Ontario and Rockford MN,” Gordon said.

Gordon said while seeing the number of adoptions rise is good news, they would prefer to have more of the dogs that end up at the facility returned to their owners and that licensing their dogs would allow this to happen.

Every year, thousands of stray dogs enter Winnipeg area animal shelters. In 2009, only about 10% of the impounded stray dogs at Animal Services had a dog license. “A dog license acts like a lifeboat in a sea of stray dogs. We desperately want to get dogs back to their owners quickly and a dog license is the most effective way to get your beloved dog back.”

Dogs over six months of age in Winnipeg are required to have a license and wear that license. Animal Services has a “free ride home” program for licensed dogs where in most cases fines and fees are avoided. In 2009 about 300 dogs were reunited with a license without ever entering the Animal Services facility. Dogs entering Animal Services without a license are subject to impound and boarding fees. The fine for not having a current license is $250.

Licenses are only $26 a year if the dog is spayed/neutered and $61 for others. Licenses can be purchased at most veterinary clinics, pet stores, animal shelters, and other retail outlets.

To learn more about dog licenses, pet adoption, and volunteer opportunities at Animal Services call 311 or visit Winnipeg.ca/animalservices