With the summer over, the Pedigree Adoption Drive reminds people there are dogs in the local shelters awaiting new homes. It's the fifth year for the campaign, and the Estevan Humane Society is one of 30 shelter partners with Pedigree.
Marlene Moore, president of the Estevan Humane Society, said one of their goals during this campaign is to show that the dogs in their shelter are good dogs and simply in need of a good home.
"The Pedigree Adoption Drive campaign is just to enable Canadians to help by adopting or volunteering or donating to the cause," she added.
The campaign launches today, Sept. 19, and donations are made through the sale of each bag of Pedigree dog food. A portion of those sales is donated by Pedigree to the campaign.
Moore said the company is very generous with their partners, noting Pedigree has donated more than $1 million in its first five years. Donations of up to $5,000 are made to the shelters, and those funds are used for whatever the shelters deem is necessary.
"We have staff that we have to pay. Our medical bills each month can be anywhere from $800 to $1,000," said Moore. "Maintaining the building is another huge thing."
She noted they are now able to move their dressing trailer up next to their shelter.
"It would have to be moved out of there since the flood last year, so it will be moved this week hopefully," said Moore.
They've received some help from the community for gravel and labour, and she said they are grateful for the assistance. The trailer will be used for storage of food and cat litter among other things.
The adoption drive is also about encouraging people to adopt one of the dogs residing at the shelter. Moore said it's important for everybody to know that the dogs at the humane society find themselves there for a number of reasons, but they are all worthy of a home.
"They are trying to let everybody know they're good dogs. The dogs at the shelter are good dogs. Some of them need more love and attention, but I say 'bad dog, bad owner,'" she added.
Moore said they have been kept busy this past summer, seeing more dogs come in than usual.
"We've had more dogs this summer than we have all summer. Part of the reason is that we have so many transient people coming into town. They get here and they don't have a place to stay, let alone shelter their animals, and I think they just let them go. Then they end up at the shelter."
She said they do still have a couple of kennels vacant, but had two more dogs come in this past week.
Moore said for those looking to adopt one of the animals, they can take it home for a week or two and foster it. If things don't work out for whatever reason, they can bring it back to the shelter. She said that is an option, and the most important thing for the humane society is that the animals get a good home.
Moore reminds everyone that the humane society is hosting its dog jog in memory of the late Dr. Neil Howard, who would look after the Estevan animals for free. The dog jog is Sept. 23 at 1 p.m., with registration beginning at the Estevan Shoppers Mall. A barbecue will follow the event.
