Pet overpopulation was solved once but rising costs are undoing that progress

For much of the 20th century, animal shelters across North America faced a crisis with no easy answer. Unwanted litters arrived faster than homes could be found, and the animals kept coming. For the people who worked at these organizations, many of whom had chosen the work precisely because they loved animals. A significant part of the job was ending the lives of healthy dogs and cats simply because there was nowhere else for them to go. In the 1970s, euthanasia rates were climbing to catastrophic levels. Animal organizations, advocates, and policymakers united to find a better way. The path they found to address the root cause of pet overpopulation transformed the way we care for our pets. Spay and neuter programs, paired with public education, became widespread in the 1970s and 1980s. As euthanasia rates fell, shelters could finally breathe, and animals themselves were healthier. Spayed and neutered pets face lower risks of certain cancers, no risk of life-threatening uterine infections like pyometra which impacts one in four unaltered female dogs by the age of 10 and is fatal without treatment and none of the dangers that come with pregnancy and birth. With fewer animals overwhelming the system, organizations could turn their attention to something other than crisis management. Innovative programs bloomed in the decades that followed to truly meet the needs of pets and the people who loved them. Veterinary assistance programs helped families keep beloved pets through illness or injury. Foster networks gave vulnerable animals the individual care they needed. Behaviour support helped struggling guardians and frustrated animals find peace and connection. Decades of progress built a system that was moving in the right direction. That progress is now at risk. A perfect storm of rising costs of living, low funding for preventive care programs, and growing demand for veterinary services has put spay and neuter out of reach for many pet guardians across British Columbia. Families who want to do the right thing for their animals often can't access the resources they need to do so. The consequences are predictable, because we have seen them before. Rescue organizations throughout the province are struggling to meet record levels of demand for spay, neuter, and medical assistance, while the number of animals needing care continues to climb. Litters of kittens and puppies are filing in as organizations are already at or over capacity. Animals are being rushed into urgent treatment for pyometra because their guardians intended to have the procedure done but could not access timely or affordable preventative care. Pets are becoming pregnant before families can act, sometimes with serious complications for both mother and offspring. Community cats, animals who live outdoors and are cared for by compassionate residents, are also affected. When trap-neuter-return programs cannot keep up with demand, feral populations grow. Countless stray and feral cats continue to reproduce in communities across British Columbia, where many face heartbreaking outcomes including starvation, disease, exposure to extreme weather, predation, and vehicle strikes. As organizations stretch to respond, their ability to help other animals in need becomes increasingly limited. None of this is the fault of pet guardians who are doing their best in difficult circumstances. The cost of living has risen sharply, while income support has not kept pace. When a person living on a low income is choosing whether to spend their last $30 on pet food instead of groceries, even reduced-cost preventative veterinary care feels like an impossible goal. We have been here before, and we found our way through it not by blaming the people struggling to care for their animals, but by building systems that made it easier to access that care. As the need continues to grow, community support has never been more important. Every donation to help provide a spay or neuter surgery extends far beyond one animal. An female cat ht is not spayed and her offspring can produce hundreds of kittens in just a few years under ideal conditions, fuelling a cycle that rescue organizations cannot keep up with. Preventing just one unplanned litter can save generations of animals from hunger, illness, and injuries on unforgiving streets. At the same time, British Columbia needs renewed investment in accessible, affordable spay and neuter services. The progress of the past several decades is not lost, but it is slipping. And the tiny new lives being born into this crisis cannot wait for the system to catch up. Romany Runnalls is the operations director for the Okanagan Human Society and Chantelle Archambault is the communications director for the Vancouver Humane Society. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. As pharmacists, we're some of the most accessible health-care professionals within the health system. We have conversations with patients every day, not only about prescriptions but also broader health concerns and overall wellness. Weight management is a good example, as I often have patients asking questions about what options are available. Those conversations reflect a broader reality facing people in many places. In communities like Kelowna, accessing timely, co-ordinated care isn't always easy and many residents experience gaps in support when it comes to managing their overall health and well-being. In fact, 17% of British Columbians report not having a family doctor, underscoring a growing need for creative solutions to help fill those gaps. As a result, the health-care system across British Columbia is increasingly moving toward a more integrated, team-based approache that improves how care is accessed and co-ordinated for patients. The virtual Weight Management Program at Shoppers Drug Mart is one example of how the integrated model brings together different professionals to provide more continuous, co-ordinated support for patients. In weight management, that kind of collaboration is especially important, where ongoing guidance and follow-up can play a meaningful role in supporting patients throughout their journey and improving long-term outcomes. Obesity is a chronic disease and a key driver of other health conditions. As many Canadians continue to face barriers accessing primary care, there is a growing need to improve access to treatment and support. Shoppers Drug Mart has collaborated with Obesity Canada to help raise awareness of the tools and resources available to Canadians seeking support for their health. Here's how a team-based approach is structured in practice: • Starting with a full picture of your health When patients look for weight management support, it starts with looking at the full picture of their health. The journey begins with a virtual online assessment and consultation with a nurse practitioner, who has received obesity-specific training and reviews the patient's medical history, current medications, lifestyle and goals. As part of the program, pharmacists are also available to provide ongoing support, answer medication-related questions, and help reinforce a patient's care plan throughout their treatment journey through in-person visits at their local pharmacy. • Medical guidance when and where it's needed When clinically appropriate, patients may be prescribed weight management medication as part of a personalized care plan. Nurse practitioners draw on their obesity-specific training to assess whether medication is appropriate, prescribe when needed, and provide ongoing clinical guidance and support throughout a patient's treatment journey. Pharmacists complement this care by answering medication-related questions, helping ensure medications are used safely and effectively, and reinforcing the patient's care plan. • Practical, personalized nutrition support We know that nutrition advice has to work in real life. As part of the integrated virtual care team, patients meet with a registered dietitian to receive personalized support and build realistic, sustainable approaches to eating that reflect their preferences, routines and cultural considerations. It's not about a restrictive plan, it's about finding something patients can maintain. • Ongoing support, not one-time advice Weight management isn't a one-time conversation, it's an ongoing process. Pharmacists draw from their obesity care training to play an important role in reinforcing care by answering medication-related questions and providing guidance that help patients stay on track with treatment. Together with nurse practitioners and dietitians, the team-based approach ensures care feels co-ordinated, rather than fragmented. The program provides patients with the continued support and guidance needed to help set them up for long-term success. In a healthcare system where access to primary care isn't always consistent, integrated care teams are helping bridge the gap. If you're exploring weight management support, speaking with your local pharmacist can be a helpful first step in understanding your options and getting connected to the right care. Holly Sumner is a pharmacist and associate-owner of two Shoppers Drug Mart locations in the Mission area of Kelowna. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. In October, voters in Alberta will participate in a unique referendum originally designed to seek the public's feedback on proposals related to immigration and constitutional affairs. An additional question will also ask Albertans if they want to remain a part of Canada or whether a binding referendum on separation should be held at a later date. When Research Co. asked a representative sample of likely voters in Alberta about the referendum last week, the reaction to the immigration proposals was positive. Anywhere from 58 per cent to 66 per cent intend to vote 'Yes' on the five questions, including the introduction of laws mandating a 12-month residence period before qualifying for support programs and providing proof of citizenship to vote provincially. Voters are lukewarm on the constitutional questions, with the highest support observed for protecting provincial rights from federal interference (46 per cent) and the lowest for abolishing the Senate (39 per cent). It is important to note that the level of undecideds among likely voters fluctuates from nine per cent to 14 per cent on the immigration questions, and from 18 per cent to 28 per cent on the constitutional question. There is little room for major movement on secession: 74 per cent of likely voters in Alberta will cast a ballot to stay in Canada, 22 per cent will vote to compel a binding referendum on separation and just four per cent have not made up their minds yet. Support for initiating a process that would lead to a binding referendum climbs to 27 per cent among likely voters aged 35-54, to 37 per cent among those who voted for the United Conservative Party (UCP) in the 2023 provincial election and to 37 per cent among those who voted for the Conservative Party of Canada in last year's federal election. When likely voters in Alberta were asked if they trust the views of each of 15 individuals on the issue of Alberta separating from Canada, only two have the confidence of the majority: former prime minister Stephen Harper (51 per cent) and Prime Minister Mark Carney (also 51 per cent). Three other politicians garner the trust of at least two in five likely voters: federal official Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre (47 per cent), Alberta official Opposition Leader Naheed Nehsi (46 per cent) and former Alberta premier Rachel Notley (40 per cent). The confidence rating is lower for current Alberta Premier Danielle Smith (37 per cent) and former Alberta premier Jason Kenney (32 per cent). There is little identification with the prominent voices in the separatist cause in Alberta. About one in seven express confidence in Alberta Prosperity Project co-founder and lawyer Jeffrey Rath (13 per cent) and Alberta Prosperity Project CEO Mitch Sylvestre (also 13 per cent). Fewer trust social media personality Marty Belanger (11 per cent) or Republican Party of Alberta leader Cameron Davies (10 per cent). Even professional hockey player Connor McDavid (26 per cent) and federal NDP leader Avi Lewis (20 per cent) possess more clout. When Albertans are asked to ponder what life in a sovereign nation might look like, their preferences are not too different from what they already experience as Canadian citizens. A parliamentary system is preferred over a presidential one by a margin larger than two-to-one (51 per cent to 19 per cent). More than two in five likely voters (43 per cent) would keep the Canadian dollar as Alberta's currency. Even fewer think a sovereign Alberta should allow Albertans to own and carry handguns for self-defence (36 per cent), or outlaw marijuana (31 per cent), same-sex marriage (27 per cent) or abortion (24 per cent). In essence, likely voters do not relish the opportunity to bring some of the socially conservative components of American states into an independent Alberta. At this point, Premier Smith's gamble is partially paying off. The referendum might be successful in initiating a larger discussion on immigration, but voters are not as convinced about constitutional amendments. Some Canadians may have been warily preparing for a showdown on the future of the country akin to the ones we experienced in the 20th century, but the situation outside of the social media bubble is decidedly different. René Lévesque and Jacques Parizeau had served as premiers prior to the Quebec referendums of 1980 and 1995. Right now, the credibility of the loudest voices in favour of Alberta's sovereignty—who have never come close to heading a provincial administration—is lower than 20 per cent. These are not, to borrow the phrase from Lucien Bouchard, 'winning conditions'. Mario Canseco is president of Research Co. Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from Aug. 24-26, 2026, among 750 likely voters in Alberta. The data has been statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region in Alberta. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. Áʼa:líya Warbus was once a star member of the BC Conservatives. But she left Monday, saying she no longer recognized the party she'd once joined. 'The party is redefining itself,' Warbus said. And not, to her mind, in a good way. Warbus is the seventh MLA to quit in just over two weeks. Amidst the chaos, the official Opposition has all-but-abandoned discussion on key voter issues, including housing affordability, education for kids, seniors care and cost-of-living challenges like putting food on the table. 'All of that is missing,' Warbus said in an interview. 'We're devoid of all of that when we're focused on the drama, the inner workings and the culture wars of pulling people and polarizing them more and more and more. 'You can only push people to divide so far, and so long, before there's an exhaustion. People are just craving and looking for a bit of stability and normality. And I have to say that is the complete opposite of what I felt, and what I've seen was happening inside of the caucus, inside of the party, and in the direction we were going.' Of the seven MLAs to quit so far, Warbus is particularly noteworthy when it comes to the party the BC Conservatives used to be. For two years, she lent her credibility as an Indigenous leader from the Sto:lo Nation to a Conservative party often criticized for being anti-Indigenous. Warbus was its most articulate spokesperson on why repealing the Declaration Act could be a step forward, not backwards, for reconciliation. And she was a symbol in the 2024 provincial election of a political movement able to attract more than just angry old white men to run under its banner. But then came Kerry-Lynne Findlay. After the 71-year-old former MP won the BC Conservative leadership May 30 (with 51 per cent of the vote) Warbus said the party began lurching in the wrong direction to the far right. 'The communication was little to none,' she said of her relationship with Findlay. For Warbus, the MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, the atmosphere around the new leader became too much. 'It was becoming personal, it was becoming volatile and some of it was becoming highly race-based,' Warbus said. 'You know, I was starting to not recognize B.C. politics anymore in the conversations that were being had. And I just don't think that that's reflective of where people are at today. I don't think it's realistic, and I don't think it's healthy.' Warbus also described an unease with the party's various scandals, including an operations director fired after leaked audio of him seemingly describing misusing party donations, and accusations that leader Findlay was offering incentives to MLAs to quit so she could run in their riding. Findlay has denied the allegations. But the final decision coalesced over a trip to Singapore last week, where Warbus was competing in the 2026 International Va'a World Sprint Championships for six-person outrigger canoes. She represented Canada, and watched as her six-year-old daughter participated in a ceremonial dance for the first time wearing sacred paint. 'That gave me perspective, and it put my feet squarely on the ground where it needs to be,' she said. 'And when I came back, I just thought that leaders don't talk, they walk. They take action. And if I'm going to be the leader that I was elected to be, then I need to lead with that example, and to do something that expresses exactly how I feel in action, not in words.' Warbus is undecided on whether she'll join the new party being formed by former BC Conservatives Ian Paton and Peter Milobar. But she said she hopes to still hold the government to account as an independent in the legislature. Online, Findlay supporters attacked Warbus on Monday for being a woke liberal masquerading as a conservative, and suggested she was beholden to First Nations interests. It was an odd criticism, after two years of the party leaning heavily on the credibility that Warbus brought to the table. 'I expected a number of those same supporters to dance on my grave the second that I announced I'm going to be an independent, but let them,' she said. 'If that is the attitude that they have, and if that's what they think is a winning strategy to defeat the NDP, then let's see how far that goes.' So far, it's only gone one way: towards the complete implosion of the BC Conservative Party. Rob Shaw has spent more than 18 years covering B.C. politics, now reporting for CHEK News and writing for BIV. He hosts the weekly show Political Capital and has a daily podcast, Political Capital Daily. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.