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By MICHELLE NUSSEY Staff Writer You always hear horror stories about pet shelters. From abuse to neglect, you have heard it all.
There is at least one pet shelter that really cares for its animals, the Niagara Falls Humane Society (NFHS). This shelter is the only humane society in the area with an official no-kill policy. Mark Verwey, employee of four years, says, “We do euthanize animals but only as a last resort, like if it is really sick or badly injured, but not just because we don’t have enough room.” Jay Desroches, executive director, says, “We try to look at every single animal and get a full assesment on the animal, then look at our avenues and what we’re going to do with that time.” The NFHS never turns away a stray, so in order to make room they have had to turn storage rooms and some offices into areas that can accommodate animals. Since there is a space shortage, people who cannot keep their pets are put on a waiting list. There are 150 animals of various species and breeds at the shelter. To help adopt out the animals, the shelter enlists the help of several remote adoption centres. The NFHS works with Petcetera, Paulmac’s, Global Pets and Petsmart. Desroches says, “We have a cat adoption place at Niagara Square Mall. It’s been there for about seven months and has been highly successful. It’s a convenient location, right in the mall.” Anyone who wants to adopt a pet must fill out an application. People are turned away if there is anything the shelter personnel are uncomfortable about. Desroches says, “These are our animals, and we want them to go to the best home possible.” For dog adoptions, the shelter does a “home visit” to see the place the animal is going to be residing, and ensure it is safe and appropriate for the size and breed of dog being adopted. Desroches says, “Some things just don’t make sense. Like a 180-pound Great Dane in a small apartment on the 10th floor. Sometimes, it isn’t the greatest match.” As of Feb. 15, the adoption fee went from $75 to $95. Prices across various humane societies are not uniform. Each shelter sets its own prices. Desroches says, “We take a loss, financially, on every single adoption. Even though we’re going to be increasing our prices slightly, it will bring it a little closer to evening out the cost of spaying and neutering, all the vaccines we provide, and the microchip. It’s not cheap to own an animal, and we really try to educate the public about those costs.” Cheri Sharrow, of St. Catharines, walks dogs at the animal shelter every Friday. She says exercising the dogs is “good for the body and soul.” Sharrow says that seeing the dogs on a weekly basis allows her to see how much of a difference she makes. The nervous and scared dogs become very friendly after some time in the shelter. Sharrow says, “It’s not just the exercise. It socializes them, too.” In upcoming NFHS events, there is a trivia night to be held on Friday, March 26. Doors open at 6 p.m., and trivia starts at 7 p.m.Trivia night will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall, in Niagara Falls on North Street. Tickets are $20 and include snacks and pizza. There will be a cash bar, 50/50 tickets and a silent auction. All proceeds go to care for the animals. For tickets, or to donate to the auction, call Cathy at 905-356-4404, Kathleen at 905-371-1313, or email
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Donations can be dropped off or mailed to Niagara Falls Humane Society, 6025 Chippawa Pkwy, Niagara Falls, Ont., L2E 6X8.For more information, visit http://www.nfhs.ca/ |
