Kingston Humane Society issues plea for donations amid rising veterinary medical expenses

The Kingston Humane Society is asking the community for financial support as rising medical costs continue to strain its resources.

The Kingston Humane Society is asking the community for financial support as rising veterinarian medical costs continue to strain its resources. The organization said increasing expenses for emergency treatments such as surgeries have added pressure on its ability to care for homeless and vulnerable animals, making public donations more important than ever. According to a news release, two animals that were surrendered to the agency were in need of medical treatment that went beyond $12,000.

The first was a Cane Corse mix named Two Socks, who was behind on vaccinations, not altered, had inverted eyelids and was limping. While vaccinations, spay surgery and repairing the entropion were all relatively common procedures for the KHS, follow up X-rays showed a torn cranial cruciate ligament in her back leg, which is similar to an ACL tear in humans. As a result, Two Socks would have to be transferred to a medical clinic in Belleville for orthopedic surgery at a cost of $6,337.

The Kingston shelter noted that the surgery is scheduled for later this month, but it is unsure where it will get the funding for the procedure. The KHS said the rising cost of veterinary services is one of the reasons why people surrender their animals. “Most Ontario and Quebec shelters have seen a surrender increase of between 25-30%.

Fortunately, the Kingston Humane Society’s surrender numbers have risen by less than 10% but, like Two Socks, many of those surrenders come with significant expenses,” read the release. The KHS also cited Tigger, a 16-year-old Tabby that was surrendered because the owner could no longer afford to care for him. He arrived significantly underweight, missing his outer ear flaps, had a mass on his hind limb, fractured teeth and a heart murmur.

After four surgical procedures and 107 days in care, Tigger was ready to go to his forever home, although the cost to the KHS was $12,167. “When the KHS is not taking in surrendered animals, they’re working to get strays healthy or transferring in dogs from puppy mills and backyard breeders,” wrote KHS. “The individuals who run these illegal operations get rid of any puppy with a medical issue; which happens often because of the conditions in which the animals are forced to exist.”

The KHS shared the example of four boxer pups that were brought to the KHS because they were all “cast offs.” They arrived with significant cardiac disease and dental problems. KHS said each puppy was eventually adopted to a loving forever home but their care, treatment, surgery and rehabilitation cost just over $22,000.

The KHS is appealing to the public for donations this summer as inflation, tariffs, and sharply rising veterinary costs continue to increase the expense of caring for animals. The non-profit organization said it has worked to address each animal’s health needs before adoption to help reduce costs for new owners, but doing so has become increasingly difficult without additional community support . It is now asking residents to help ensure homeless and vulnerable animals receive the care they need and the opportunity to find permanent, loving homes.

Related Council opts to relocate wellness centre from Kingston’s planned aquatic complex Loyalist Township prepares to reopen revamped swimming pool