Abandoned dog in Okotoks highlights crisis in Alberta’s animal rescue system

Support is pouring in for a three-year-old golden retriever with medical problems, abandoned by its owners at an Okotoks off-leash dog park over the weekend.

The discovery of a Golden Retriever abandoned at Okotoks off leash dog park has sparked online backlash while also creating concern about scarcity of space for animal surrenders.

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Last weekend, Raiya was left wearing booties and a winter jacket, along with her medications to control seizures.

The owners attached a note, detailing their intent to abandon the dog as they were leaving the country.

The dog was taken to Southern Alberta Veterinary Emergency and is now in the care of the animal rescue Pause 4 Change by way of a fundraiser.

The animal rescue group says they are concerned Alberta’s rescue system may be in trouble.

“Rescues and shelters have long wait lists for surrender because they are over capacity and can’t keep with demand,” reads a Facebook post.

The post begins as an “open letter to Raiya’s previous owners and our community.”

It acknowledges the community for being upset and outraged, but also points out that details around the owners circumstances are unknown, and believe the owners attempted to “surrender (her) properly,” but couldn’t.

“Owners who need to surrender their pets due to circumstances outside of their control have no places for these pets to go,” continues the Pause4change Facebook post.

The animal rescue is also calling for the community donate to cover food costs, vet bills and for more pet lovers to volunteer to foster pets in need.