Outdoor dog run unleashed at the Lethbridge Animal Shelter

Tails are wagging at the Lethbridge Animal Shelter, as dogs enjoy a new outdoor space. A 420-square-metre fenced dog run is now allowing resident canines to exercise, play and interact with one another in a more natural setting.

A lack of trails, pathways and fenced areas on the Animal Shelter property had previously limited opportunities for outdoor socialization. Now, shelter staff can use the new area to provide more canine training and prospective adopters can engage more effectively with the dogs, creating meaningful connections.

“This dog run underscores the City’s ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of shelter animals,” says Councillor John Middleton-Hope, who   to fund and build the run. “This type of environment supports the dogs’ physical and mental health, enhancing their social habits and improving their chances of adoption.”

The dog run comes at a welcomed time. The shelter continues to regularly operate at capacity, and it’s hoped the new space will result in more adoptions.

“We continue to see longer-than-normal stays for our dogs and that can make them more difficult to adopt," says Skylar Plourde, Director of Services for Community Animal Services. "Thank you to Council for their support with this project. The fenced-in area will not only enhance the dogs’ adoptability, it is also enriching their lives during their time at the shelter.”

In November of 2023, City Council approved up to $30,000 in one-time funding from Council contingencies to make the project a reality. Once final work is complete in the spring, the final cost will be less than $18,000.

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