Shelter upgrades planned as Meadow Lake Humane Society faces busy season

“It does fluctuate throughout the year, but spring is always a busy season where we expect to be full all the time.”

Between lost animals and abandoned dogs, shelter volunteers have also been busy helping with animals at large. In April, the city’s bylaw enforcement recorded 103 animal control case files, with nine related to dogs at large and 90 involving unlicensed dogs.

“We do our parts to house and accommodate the ones that are brought in, and we’re very grateful to the public that the owners pick them up and pay their fines and make sure they’re reunited. That’s a system that works very well for all parties,” he explained.

As the number of animals grows, the shelter is also focusing on projects designed to make outdoor spaces safer and more comfortable in every season. McCallum said volunteers are focused on creating more protection from harsh weather.

“If we can figure out a way to close in our exterior fence to provide a windbreak and then install canopies over the north and south runs so that the animals can be out of the rain and snow all year round and maybe some sunshade for them.”

To complete these projects, the shelter hopes to raise up to $10,000 through donations and upcoming fundraisers.

“We are planning to have perhaps one or two events in conjunction with local community groups where we can have adoption drives and a shelter visit or an animal visit at other events,” McCallum explained.

Before those events begin, volunteers are taking a brief moment to recover from a winter spent upgrading the shelter and trying to avoid burnout.

“We were getting our building up to spec and making sure that we didn’t burn out every last one of our volunteers. Just making sure that all the renovations we did last year were meeting our needs. So, setting up the dog doors and the fans and the lighting, the heating and cooling.”

Now, with warmer weather arriving, the organization hopes to spend more time connecting with the public and finding homes for the animals in its care.

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

Shelter upgrades planned as Meadow Lake Humane Society faces busy season

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