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By Angela Brown

Shelter busy

Battlefords Humane Society ‘Tails for Hope’ Gala major fundraiser of year

Jan 19, 2024 | 6:32 PM

The Battlefords Humane Society is getting ready to host its “Tails of Hope” Gala next month, the biggest fundraiser for the organization for the year.

The event will take place Feb. 10 at the Dekker Centre, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Kellie Migneault, vice-president on the Humane Society’s board of directors, said funds raised will benefit the Humane Society’s operations.

“The gala has traditionally been our largest fundraiser,” she said. “We’re anticipating it will be our largest fundraiser. A lot of people think we’re funded through the City; we’re not. We provide a service for the pound. The money the City gives doesn’t cover even our costs. So events like this we have to have them to survive.”

Migneault noted a handful of businesses have stepped up to support the fundraiser.

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“One thing that is a bit unique and is allowing us to do the event is that we’ve had local businesses sponsor the event,” she said, adding that Battlefords Flooring Centre has helped as the main sponsor.

This is the first time the annual event has been held since before the pandemic, so Migneault is excited to see it return.

“We haven’t had it for a few years due to COVID, so we’re bringing back the gala,” she said. “It’s going to be completely different this year.”

The black-tie gala includes an evening of appetizers, beverages, as well as a silent and live auction with items donated from local businesses.

The event will also include a special red-carpet walk featuring successfully adopted cats and dogs, with their owners sharing their stories.

A number of owners applied to take part in the walk with their pets as a fun new addition to the gala.

“It’s something we’re hoping to do annually,” Migneault said.

Tickets to attend the event are available online through Eventbrite’s website or by calling the Battlefords Humane Society directly.

Animal shelter busy

With the extremely cold weather in the past few weeks, the shelter has been particularly busy receiving animals that are either stray or given up.

“I know we have been extremely full, with the cold weather [and other situations], we literally don’t have room,” Migneault said. “Last week we’ve been very full. This typically happens when it’s cold out. Lots of people bring in animals.”

A person posted on Facebook recently the humane society wasn’t able to accept a stray cat they wanted to turn in because it had reached capacity.

Migneault noted that shelter numbers change from day to day, so she asks people to be patient. If the shelter isn’t able to accept a cat, for instance, on one particular day, it might be able to take it a couple days later.

“Definitely call the shelter, and call back daily because things can change… people adopt or people pick up an animal that was maybe their’s that was found,” she said.

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW