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The Battlefords Humane Society is still offering adoptions for now, but staff are uncertain over what happens next. (File photo/BattlefordsNOW Staff)
Plethora of paws

Battlefords Humane Society adjusting to COVID-19 changes

Mar 24, 2020 | 5:15 PM

So far, staff members at the Battlefords Humane Society have managed amidst the threat of COVID-19, but challenging days remain for the animal shelter.

More than 30 animals are still housed at the facilities and the threat of staff being sidelined with the virus puts even greater strain on the task of managing new and current critters.

Shelter Coordinator Michelle Spark said the Humane Society has managed surprisingly well during the pandemic. Only six dogs are still housed after residents came through with a number of adoptions, while others are currently cared for in foster homes.

“Our community support is support is amazing in N.B.,” Spark said. “People came to get animals when they could.”

Despite the Humane Society being closed to the public, residents can still provide forever homes for potential pets, so long as it’s done outside the facility. Spark said anyone looking to adopt is met at the door and then can “take them home for a few days,” to see if this is the animal they want to keep.

“If it is, the rest of the process can be done completely online without them having to come into the shelter at all,” she said.

Whether this process continues as is for the foreseeable future is uncertain. There’s limited space for additions, particularly cats, and no drop-offs can occur unless it’s a staff member.

Despite tremndous support from residents, the Humane Society still houses an abundance of cats. (submitted photo/Michelle Spark)

“If you find a stray cat on the side of the road, you cannot just pick it up and bring it to us,” Spark said. “We will not open the door for you.”

In the event of a total shutdown of the community, how to proceed with Humane Societies and SPCA’s across Saskatchewan falls to the province — a decision that has significant implications for the region. North Battleford City Manager Randy Patrick said conversations between the Humane Society, the city and the province have not occurred yet.

“They are important to us and it’s one of those services that would be very difficult to do without,” he said.

Spark is waiting on a letter from the Regina Humane Society to Premier Scott Moe, asking the province to designate these shelters as essential services. However, she’s looking at a possibility where all new animals are turned away and no chance of getting the current hopefuls to new owners.

“Fingers crossed. If not, I have no idea what we are going to do,” she said.

Until then, business will continue per the new usual. But if extreme measures of quarantine come down, staff members have already volunteered to remain with the animals.

“If something happens where we have to shut our doors and self-quarantine, maybe some of us will be quarantining at the shelter,” Spark said. “We will need someone to bring us food.”

josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports

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