EAST CENTRAL — Since opening in late September, the North East SPCA’s (NESPCA) Harry and Eve Vickar Shelter in Melfort has helped over 50 animals find a home.
“It’s been really picking up lately, which is awesome,” said Kristy Mason, the shelter manager.
“We’ll have some big fundraisers coming up this summer and it’ll be pretty good.”
As of late February, the shelter is caring for approximately nine dogs and 43 cats. The shelter’s capacity is 25 dogs and 60 cats.
Mason said the first animal that had been adopted through the shelter was a guinea pig named Nugget. Nugget was adopted within two days after being dropped off.
“He came in and he was not here for very long, he was a hot commodity. I think it's because they’re pretty easy to take care of. They’re not as hard to take care of as a dog.”
Lately, Mason said that cats and dogs have been popular with adoptions – with quite a few adult cats being adopted.
She believes the change in weather is having an impact.
“It’s getting warmer outside, people are getting outside more and the mice are coming out soon so they need themselves a cat.”
Unlike the adult cats, Mason said they are having the most challenge adopting out kittens.
“It’s been kind of reversed from what I thought it would be,” she said. “The adult cats are easier, they’re not so hyper and crazy – they just want to cuddle.”
