The Moose Jaw Humane Society closed their shelter to public traffic on Mar. 17, just ahead of the province’s official mandate, but staff are still doing their best to take care of the animals in the city.
The shelter will be closed to the public until Mar. 31, but operations are continuing as usual inside the building — and the animals are still getting all the attention they deserve.
“Without customers coming in, there is a bit more free time [for staff], so we are actually spending more time with the animals in place of the volunteers,” said Amanda Tetarenko from the shelter.
Adoptions are still available, said Tetarenko, although there are some restrictions in place in light of the current state of the province.
Patrons interested in adopting one of the Humane Society’s animals will have to call and make an appointment to see a specific animal, and staff are asking that only one or two people come to the appointment.
All of the Humane Shelter’s animals are featured on their Facebook page, and potential adopters are encouraged to check out the animals online instead of coming into the shelter to browse.
“If they see an animal that catches their eye and they do want to look at adopting that animal, then they can give us a call, make an appointment and come in and we will assist them,” said Tetarenko. “We do ask that you do not bring children in, and if you can help it, preferably just one or two of you at a time.”
The Humane Society is also still offering cremation services by appointment, and accepting donations provided they are left in the shelter’s front porch — things like food and blankets, for example.
Tetarenko also noted that the shelter is still taking emergency calls about stray or lost animal sightings, although they are not always able to respond.
They will not be able to take surrendered animals for the time being, and volunteer activities are suspended until further notice.
“Part of the reason for the closure is to be in line with what the Saskatchewan Health Authority wants, to minimize contact with other people,” said Tetarenko. “But we do also recognize that there are immunocompromised people in our community and we have staff here that have a condition that would make them more susceptible, and we have to take that into consideration.”
Tetarenko expects the most noticeable way the Humane Society will be affected by all of the social distancing measures will be in terms of their fundraising efforts.
The Humane Society has already cancelled their Jail & Bail event originally scheduled for April, as they felt this would be the wrong time to host a fundraiser.
“In this current economic time, with not knowing and with so much uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19, situation, we don't feel it's an appropriate time to be running our fundraiser,” said Tetarenko.
However, donations are always needed at the Humane Society, especially monetary donations to aid with medical bills and other needs.
The Humane Society will continue with holding their upcoming lottery beginning Apr. 1, as it can be done remotely and without too much interaction.
Tetarenko is not concerned about the future of the shelter as of yet, but that doesn’t mean Moose Jaw isn’t welcome to help out however they feel able.
“We’re people too, that are in the same crisis and we recognize that people could be getting less hours, being laid off, or any number of things,” said Tetarenko. “We just don’t want to put any extra pressure on people.”
Staff at the Humane Society can still be reached during the shelter’s regular hours by calling 1 (306) 692-1517.
