‘We will take care of them’: Winnipeg Humane Society sets up temporary shelter for pets of families displaced by wildfires

The Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) has set up a temporary animal shelter to help families affected by Manitoba’s wildfires.

The temporary shelter at the St. Norbert Community Centre can accommodate about 60 animals. Pet intake is on a first come, first served basis.

“We are set up for both cats and dogs and in a pinch something else, we’d consider,” said Christina Von Schindler, CEO of WHS.

“We have 10 animals currently. We are expecting quite a few more as more communities are being evacuated and as more people drive themselves down with their animals.

“We will take care of them. At least that’s the one thing you don’t have to worry about. With everything else you’re going through and all the stress and all the change, at the very least you can count that your pets will be safe, cared for.”

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Kara Holik, WHS’ medical manager and veterinary technologist, says all incoming pets will be assessed and treated for any health issues.

“We’ll assess them for any wounds or signs of dehydration. I’m assuming these animals are coming from a long commute and in very stressful situations,” Holik said.

“Stress can really compromise the immune system, much like in people.”

Holik says treatment options for those animals in need will be on a case-by-case basis.

“Easy things that can be treated will be done here and we can manage them here and hopefully just have them comfortable, fed, watered and monitored, enriched and exercised here,” she said.

“Anything that is in more of a critical condition, we’ll send to the shelter where we have a full vet clinic and team there.”

It’s the first time the WHS has been called in to help with wildfires. The shelter was set up within three days.

“We’re grateful that people are entrusting their animals to us,” said Carly Peters, director of communications and marketing at WHS.

Von Schindler adds she’s in contact with the Red Cross to make sure evacuees have the support they need for their pets.

“We were called in by the Red Cross to help people travelling with their pets,” she said. “That means that at least companion animals are being actively considered in evacuation. This is a significant step forward and a very hopeful one.”

There will be housing, vet care, enrichment and exercise in the community centre’s indoor hockey rink.

“Our animal care team and our volunteers will help support enrichment,” said Peters. “That includes walks, that includes playing some ball in the hockey rink that we have or having other sort of fun time in there. There’s some dogs here that have come together as a family so they have some play time in there.”

Added Von Schindler: What this allows us to do is give animals who have been evacuated and can’t stay with their families, really the same level of exercise and enrichment and attention as they would get in our shelter at Hurst Way.

Families will be able to spend time with their pets during designated visiting hours.

“So they can come hang out here, they can take them to a park. They can take them to wherever they’re staying so that bond between pet and pet owner is not broken,” said Peters, adding reunification is a top priority.

The Winnipeg Humane Society is encouraging evacuees to register with the Red Cross directly if they have animals with them.