REGINA — While helping or finding an animal shelter goes a long way, there are certain methods Regina residents can use to make the process safer.
The Regina Humane Society (RHS) encourages residents to dial their 24-hour animal protection services line if an animal is found.
“Those calls are handled on an emergent basis. So often we’ll be able to come and get the animal, especially if it’s hurt or injured or in distress or otherwise, not in a good place,” said Bill Thorn, director of marketing and public relations at the RHS.
If a person discovers an animal is injured, Thorn recommends the animal be contained in a warmer space, especially during the winter.
Thorn also added that information on the type of animal, where it is, and its current state can help officers ensure they have the right equipment.
If a person wants to surrender an animal, Thorn recommends contacting the RHS to work through the process.
“The more we know ahead of time, the better we can prepare.”
“We have what’s called capacity for care and managed intake. It’s the best practice in the animal welfare industry where you want to make sure that you’ve got the resources available, that’s space, human resources, veterinary resources, etc.,” he added.
Thorn stressed that no animals should be left outside of the RHS when a person wants to surrender them.
While this doesn’t happen often, Thorn said, usually the RHS will see three to five pets left outside each year.
“We’ve had pets that have been left in broad daylight, you know, tied to a pole outside the shelter.”
Thorn added, “we don’t want to see that happen because it does put the animal in danger.”
On Monday, the RHS discovered 11 puppies outside their building.
Thorn said the puppies were found to be cold, wet and hungry.
He admitted he wasn’t sure what would happen to the puppies if only one or two had been there, since they wouldn’t have had much body warmth.
As of Thursday, Thorn said the puppies are in “decent shape.”
“They seem quite active, and we’re going to hang on to them for a few more days just to make sure that nothing else comes to light that maybe hasn’t yet in terms of the health.”
If everything goes well, Thorn said the puppies would go for spay and neuter surgeries and be available for adoption in the next week or so.
The RHS has also received several calls inquiring about adopting the puppies.
More information on donating to the RHS can be found here.
