Donna Fritzke, the Moose Jaw Humane Society’s fundraising co-ordinator, has been spotted almost everywhere in Moose Jaw — and even in Mortlach — as she spread awareness for the shelter’s 4 Paws Lottery this summer.
On July 8, the lottery closed and the results are now in: $22,090 was raised for the shelter and four lucky residents won the lottery’s $500 cash prize with one resident taking home the $10,000 grand prize.
This year’s winners are Jocelyn Bouchard, Jeanne Marchessault, Megan Keller, Gloria Caine, and Rod O’Byrne.
Dana Haukaas, the shelter’s executive director, described this year’s lottery as a success, but also noted that ticket sales were down slightly compared to 2023.
“That’s fairly typical of this economy,” she said. “A lot of organizations are (similarly) seeing a bit of a decline in their support (right now).”
The 4 Paws Lottery has been a 20-year tradition and is one of the non-profit shelter’s longest running sources of income. The lottery has also remained relatively unchanged over the years.
“The prize values have increased, and the number of draws has decreased,” Haukaas explained. “But it seems to be a steady fundraiser for the shelter.”
It wasn’t by accident that the shelter’s annual lottery was planned for the summer months.
“It’s very important for us to have those extra funds in place during the summer, because every humane society in Canada has the same problem,” Haukaas said. She explained this further by saying that kids are out of school during the summer and a lot of families are out of town traveling.
“They don’t necessarily want to… add a pet to their family if they’re planning to go on a two-week vacation,” she added.
As a result, the seasonal trend is for adoptions to go down during the summer before increasing again in the fall. This trend, Haukaas confirmed, is cyclical and doesn’t indicate any cause for concern.
The shelter currently has 53 cats and kittens in its care, along with 17 dogs. Because of this high number of cats in particular, the shelter is currently under an intake freeze until more space is available.
Meanwhile, the 4 Paws Lottery allows the shelter to provide for the animals under its care during these downward trends.
Haukaas extended an invitation for local businesses to consider partnering with the Humane Society in support of programs such as this.
“If you’re a local business interested in partnering with the Humane Society to help… provide funds for these fundraisers… please reach out…,” Haukaas said. Plus, she added, the shelter provides advertising opportunities for its sponsors during events and through its social media channels.
Thanks to Fritzke, Haukaas said all the awarded cash prizes were covered by sponsorships from local businesses — meaning that the entire $22,090 raised in the lottery will go toward the shelter.
“All of that money stays with us. She (Fritzke) did a great job,” Haukaas said.
“The most amazing part of the whole lottery was having all the cash prizes be sponsored by our local businesses,” Fritzke added. “That, to me, was phenomenal.
“So, a huge thank you (goes out) to the entire community for purchasing tickets and for the people (and businesses) that have sponsored (the lottery),” concluded Fritzke.
To adopt or foster a pet, you can contact Giving@mjhs.ca or call the shelter at 306-692-1517.
The Moose Jaw Humane Society is located at 1755 Stadacona Street West and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and is closed Sundays. For more information, visit MJHS.ca or follow the shelter on Facebook at ‘Moose Jaw Humane Society.’
