Two-hundred and twenty-four cats and dogs that were otherwise destined for a short life on the streets and back alleys of Estevan were rescued and given a better chance of survival by the Estevan Humane Society this past year.
The 98 dogs and 126 cats that ended up in the society's shelter on the southeast side of the city had their living conditions upgraded significantly while awaiting the possibility of adoption.
Marlene Moore, president of the Estevan Humane Society, and Judy Martin, shelter manager, provided information that indicated the number of stray animals rescued in Estevan has remained pretty constant during the past two years.
In 2009, there were 102 dogs rescued along with 116 cats or kittens, they said.
In 2010, 47 dogs were adopted out and two more were sent to rescue homes compared with 50 in 2009, which included three that went to rescue homes. The cat and kitten adoption rate in 2010 was 96 including 36 through the farm program with 26 of those being kittens. Specific adoption numbers for cats and kittens in 2009 were not available.
In 2010, the City's animal control officer brought in 51 dogs and eight cats in response to calls of concern and patrols.
Moore said that in the year just past, 17 cats or kittens and one dog had to be euthanized due to extreme health and/or age concerns while in the society's care. There were 13 cats or kittens euthanized in 2009 for the same reasons while another 22 expired through other complications associated with pre-existing conditions they had prior to their arrival at the shelter.
Five cats and one dog came back to the shelter after being adopted out in 2010 compared with seven animals in 2009.
Martin said the dog population at the shelter is not overwhelming at this point in the season with just six of them in their care right now. Over the summer the dog numbers were as high as 12 and 14 which put extra pressure on the staff.
"We have about 40 cats here right now. It's not a great adoption season right now," said Martin, adding that once weather conditions improved the adoptions would increase.
Moore said the humane society conducted their annual mail-out campaign for funds during the Christmas season and there is a continual need for upgrades and maintenance at the shelter. For instance, she said, they need new furnaces which will eat up a lot of their donation funds.
"We got the dog runs completed this past year, thanks to volunteers from Hank's Maintenance and Turnbull Excavation. They just came in and did what needed to be done, at no charge," said Moore.
"The next big capital item for us will be more cat kennels. We're looking at tenders now. There is an Ontario supplier we've been in contact with, but it's a big cost, somewhere around $80,000 for the kennel numbers we need. That's a lot of money. The advantage is the fact that these kennels will have a very long and useful life span," she said.
As usual, the shelter is always appreciative of donations of animal food, blankets and other materials that cut down on their daily costs.
