Arrival of animal advocacy team in Medicine Hat to assist struggling pet owners. William Wise/Dreamstime.com

By Jayk Sterkenburg

IN THE COMMUNITY

New pet service aims to minimize shelter intake in Medicine Hat

May 25, 2025 | 10:04 AM

Increased support for pets and their owners is growing in Medicine Hat with the expansion of a team from Lethbridge.

Pet and Animal Advocacy Care Team now has a volunteer based in the city to extend their reach.

PAACT supports owners in re-homing pets with a direct home-to-home approach, minimizing shelter intake.

Carey Rabb, PAACT volunteer for Medicine Hat operations, said the organization wants to keep animals out of shelters — and keep them with owners if they can provide the resources.

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“Here in Medicine Hat, we have the SPCA and the city pound [APARC], which on any given day is like, ‘We’ve got a waiting list, we’re full, we can’t help you’,” she said Saturday.

“It finds us with the huge barrel of problems we have. It finds us with animals being abandoned on the side of the road, you know- so many different things.”

Rabb said current Medicine Hat resources such as the shelter and pound have waiting lists. Courtesy/T Jordyn

PAACT says it recognizes that while pet ownership brings a lot of joy, it also comes with challenges.

It says these can range from emotional to financial obstacles that many owners face without sufficient support.

PAACT bridges those gaps by keeping pets in homes where both they and foster families or owners thrive, with education and resources.

Resources include a free Care Closet program that is hoped to start in Medicine Hat that provides essential supplies like food, treats and leashes.

T Jordyn, founder and president of PAACT, said the organization is currently gauging the need in Medicine Hat for pet owners who could use their help.

“Right now, what that looks like is a lot of behind the scenes sort of thing,” she said.

“There’s a lot of program developments, like what we’ve developed our programs here in Lethbridge, such as the Care Closet, where we provide free essential items to pet owners,” she added.

“Now, we are just really looking at how we can implement similar programs out in Medicine Hat.”

Jordyn said PAACT is currently gauging the need in Medicine Hat of pet owners. Courtesy/T Jordyn

PAACT does not have an office in Medicine Hat, but currently functions through Rabb’s volunteer efforts.

Jordyn said those who are interested in providing foster homes for pets in Medicine Hat, even temporary, can reach out to PAACT to get involved.