The Humane Society of Moose Jaw will hold its 10th annual Paws 4 Pledges Radiothon on Nov. 4. It is the shelter’s biggest fundraiser.
“Our goal this year is $85,000,” said Dana Haukaas, executive director of Moose Jaw Humane Society. “Anybody who has donated to this campaign before has received a letter in the mail and they should have all arrived last week.”
Each year, the Humane Society sets a goal that is reasonable so that the community can financially support them. “There’s been an increase in the cost of groceries, and along with a lot of services, a big increase in the price of gas,” Haukaas said.
The 10th anniversary is going to follow a similar format to what was well thought-out previously. They invited 12 different businesses, groups, and organizations from the community to answer their phone banks that day. This includes the shelter, RBC bank and city councillors.
If someone wants to visit the shelter on that day, they will be welcomed by some of the staff from Moose Jaw Warriors, Artistic Acres, and Family Pizza. Like every year, three board directors will answer the phones in the last few hours.
“We have a lot of great businesses in our community that will be supporting us that day,” Haukaas said.
The animal shelter houses several cats, dogs, and other exotic animals. Last year, they adopted 442 cats, 163 dogs, and 21 other pets including birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and so on. Haukaas claimed she observed an increase in exotic pets coming into their pound for care.
It was seen, in most of the cases, people forgot to properly lock their backyard gates or forgot to keep a cautious eye on their pets; unfortunately that allows them to get out and they become lost and are then strays.
Whenever these animals come to their care, they stay at the shelter for five business days before the Humane Society can claim them as a shelter pet and put them up for adoption to find a new home.
According to Haukaas, 18 per cent of stray cats and 70 per cent of stray dogs are always claimed by owners. She also said, “Summertime is kitten season for us.”
One of the Society’s exotic birds is an Orange Winged Amazon Parrot that has become the shelter’s mascot. Apparently, the bird took a liking to one of the staff members and now spends time at her residence, as well as at the shelter.
Haukaas said they manage to find homes for about 1000 animals each year.
The Humane Society is loved and adored by the community of Moose Jaw and people seem to come to the shelter just to visit and spend time with the animals.
Appointments can be made simply by calling their office contact number and making a booking. “You’re creating space for us to be able to help another homeless animal in the community,” Haukaas remarked.
She also believes there is an overwhelming number of people who are kind and sympathetic toward pets and want to give them a second chance of a good life in their homes.
If you want to adopt a pet and give them a forever home; or want to spend some quality time with these stray animals you are welcome to contact Moose Jaw Humane Society at 306-692-1517 or 306-694-0720. You can also visit them in their facility at 1755 Stadacona St. W. Their office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; Saturday hours closing time is 4 p.m. and the shelter is closed on Sunday.
For any kind of animal emergencies contact the 24/7 service at 306-692-1517; this service is not applicable to statutory holidays.
You can also visit their website for more information at [email protected].
