Walking through an animal shelter often comes with a pang of guilt so many hopeful eyes peering from behind bars, and you can’t take them all home. But at Bide Awhile Animal Shelter in Nova Scotia, that familiar struggle has disappeared entirely: the cages are empty.
“It’s crazy to say, but today we actually have no one available for adoption,” said Sam Cole, the shelter’s communications and marketing coordinator, speaking to CTV News. “Everyone is either adopted and waiting for their veterinary health certificate.”
The shelter is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand for furry companions. Even in the midst of January’s cold, 30 animals have already found their forever homes, and it’s rare for any pet listed online to remain up for adoption for more than a day.
“The longest stay this month was 21 days, but the majority are adopted the same day they are posted,” Cole said. “Last year, adult and senior cats or those with medical needs tended to stay longer. This year, every animal is flying off the shelves, so to speak. It’s been nonstop since the doors opened this January.”
The adoption boom isn’t new. In 2025 alone, the shelter found homes for 500 pets, averaging more than 40 adoptions per month. In response to overwhelming interest—including an online waitlist of 300 people for the first available kitten the shelter has shifted to a walk-in system. Cole encourages potential adopters to check the website before heading out, as lines are forming outside the shelter by 9 a.m. for three days straight.
For Bide Awhile, empty cages are a sign of success a visible reminder that countless animals are now safe, loved, and on the way to happy homes. While most businesses dread barren shelves, this shelter’s emptiness is a heartwarming triumph.