The Kitimat Humane Society is stretched far beyond its capacity. There are currently nearly 200 cats at the Kitimat Humane Society and in foster homes.
The animal shelter was built to house between 45 to 50 cats.
“I think just need to start making a voice of it and start fighting for people because it’s not fair. It’s not fair at all,” said Maryann Ouellet, manager of the Kitimat Humane Society.
Staff and volunteers are completely overwhelmed. There is an unbearable wall of stench and noise when you walk into the shelter.
Many shelters are facing similar problems and unfortunately, it’s at the point where staff are reluctantly considering euthanasia.
Normally, vet bills add up to around 100, 000 a year. That number was surpassed by May this year. Staff are expecting it to be more than doubled by the end of 2023. The humane society provides all the animals with vaccines, spaying or neutering, microchips and general health check-ups.
There are several ways to help. The first would be to take in an animal, either through fostering or adoption.
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Another way to help is through donations. The humane society is in desperate need of cleaning supplies and food. Other things they need are towels, litter, toys, crates and other pet supplies.
Contact the humane society to foster or adopt an animal.
The Humane Society is also considering a half-priced adoption event at the end of June pending board approval.
Housing is another part of the problem. Pet owners and people who would like to become pet owners are struggling to find a place to live that will accept animals. Ouellet says that something has to be done at the government level.
“There are a lot of bad pet owners but there are also a lot of good pet owners, and they do love their pets and they’re in a position where they have to give them up because they can’t find a place to live so they have to choose between their animal and a roof over their head. And nobody should be put in that position. But they need to do something because people can’t afford it,” said Ouellet.
@HunterWilld
hunter.wild@northernsentinel.com
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