The Pacific Service Dog Society (PADS) has seen a surge in demand for service dogs and needs help to continue matching people with disabilities with service dogs.
and International Assistance Dog WeekLocal charities are appealing for donations from the public to help continue supporting their customers.
Global News PADS reports that it adopted out 36 dogs last year, but there are still 536 people on the waiting list for a service dog.
Charities say waiting lists and rising costs are hampering the charity’s ability to match dogs with clients.
Chantelle Bender from PADS said dog food prices had risen by 45% and vet bills had increased by 50%, making it difficult for charities to fully cover their expenses.
Bender told Global News: “We are doing our best to place service dogs in homes, but if something doesn’t change or we don’t get more donations, people could be waiting up to eight years to get a service dog adopted.”
“Three years is too long. Frankly, even one year is too long.” Bender was honest about the wait time before handing over a service dog to a client.
“So I think it would be really great to be able to meet that need at the point where people apply and make the process that much quicker.” She said:
The vendor revealed, “Last year we adopted out 36 dogs, so 140 people is about two to three years’ worth of adoptions.”
PADS offers assistance dogs in four different categories, but she revealed that the most in demand are service dogs, PTSD dogs and hearing dogs.
When asked what it would take to shorten the waiting list, Bender told Global News that more trainers and breeders were needed, but most importantly, funding.
The PADS website says that every donation changes twice as many lives. “Our dear friend, senior dog sitter and amazing volunteer, George Prevost, has very graciously agreed to partner with us on our campaign and match all donations to the campaign up to a total of $20,000.”
In celebration of International Assistance Dog Week, if you donate by August 31st we will double your donation.
Donate to PADS to help place as many service dogs as possible here.
