Pandemic halts funds for humane society’s new building in Simcoe
Article content
The Simcoe and District Humane Society continues to battle through the pandemic.
The group has been unable to achieve funding for its new building to replace a two-trailer base of operations. Funds are also needed for animal care.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held at the Grigg Drive property in Simcoe in December 2019. Construction began in January 2020 with hopes of completion that same year.
They made it to the halfway point before the pandemic hit. Operations were impacted and so were funding opportunities.
Since then, the humane society has shifted all of the funds raised for the structure to provide for animal care.
“We haven’t even had enough come in to cover animal-care related stuff. We spent well over the money that we had raised for the building, so that’s all gone,” said Cathie Hosken, president of the Simcoe & District Humane Society. “It takes roughly $20,000 of care a month for these animals.”
On Oct. 27, the animal welfare organization received a financial boost. Lowe’s Canada Heroes Campaign announced a $4,311 donation to the humane society through the RONA store in Simcoe.
But more funding is needed.
The humane society is at full capacity with 218 animals currently in its care. Lack of accommodation and finances has impacted animal intake.
To date, 500 animals have been taken into care this year.
A bright spot is the number of animals being adopted.
Hosken says adoptions have been high due to the success of the virtual adoption programs.
She also cites the foster-to-adopt program where people can get to know the animals over a two-week period before making a final commitment.
“People are so generous to opening their homes,” Hosken said. “That was a saving grace in foster care, (the animals) are maintained financially through the humane society.”
Hosken says the society will begin to raise funds to continue construction on the new building in the near the future.
She is also optimistic about what next year will bring.
“I think the New Year is going to bring a positive light to all of it and people will be in a better place to donate. They will not be worried about their housing and funds.”
For more in information on the foster and adopt programs, visit www.simcoedhumane.ca.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.