THE BATTLEFORDS - Battleford’s Humane Society has been hit hard this winter, and with over 130 animals in their care, the organization is desperately searching the community for foster homes and adoptees.
Brandon Corbeil, the humane society’s temporary and assistant manager, says the shelter usually sees a spike in spring but is now overcrowded months ahead of normal.
“We’re really concerned that once spring hits and that intake increases, if we’re not able to empty cages, that is a huge concern for us,” Corbeil said to the News-Optimist, noting that the shelter is very low-kill and focuses on sales and outsourcing to other foster homes or rescues before considering euthanasia.
“I’ve noticed a lot more surrenders over the last six months than we’ve ever seen in the building. The stray intake is out of hand. I’m sending out five or six animals daily in adoptions and bringing in seven or eight that same day."
And to try and open up more kennels before the spring influx, the society is holding its first-ever, building-wide sale with every animal in its care now 50 per cent off.
“This year we’ve just been so swarmed with the intakes, we’re over capacitated in both dogs and cats, and when we’re over capacitated, disease and sickness are at an all-time high…it’s just super hard to keep it under control.”
The sale runs until Monday, March 6, and for more information about the adoption process, you can visit at: www.battlefordshumanesociety.com
Corbeil says there are more ways to help the shelter, whether through donations or volunteering, for those unable to adopt or foster an animal.
“We are always looking for dogwalkers, especially now that it’s getting nicer. Dogwalkers really, really help us, in the mornings especially,” he said, adding, “Donations are always appreciated, and they always help,”
The shelter is also asking the public to bear with them during their sale as they’re very short-staffed and expect to fall behind in some areas as they try and make room for the oncoming spring influx.
“We’re really hoping this is going to empty our cages and allow us to be able to take in some more intakes and help out the community even more.”
