THUNDER BAY - The Thunder Bay District Humane Society may reopen sooner than expected after a respiratory outbreak forced it to close, but officials say there is still a long road ahead.
“So far things are going quite well,” said Cassandra Nordal, fundraising coordinator with the Thunder Bay District Humane Society. “We haven’t seen any of the animals worsen, so that’s a huge plus for us and them. Things are under control right now.”
Earlier this month, an outbreak of kennel cough forced the Humane Society to shut down. The shelter needed to be completely sanitized from top to bottom. But Nordal said it could reopen as soon as mid-May.
“That is a tentative date,” she said. “It all comes down to the animal’s health and that is how it’s always been with us.”
The animals in the shelter will be reassessed by a veterinarian on Apr. 24, which will provide a better idea of exactly when they can reopen.
Earlier this year, the Humane Society was involved in several high-profile dog rescues in the region, including 12 dogs from Longlac in very poor health.
The health of those dogs has improved significantly since they were first surrendered to the Humane Society in February. Nordal said the next step is to find homes for these animals, but it will not be a simple process.
“We are going to be launching out sponsorship program for the original 12 next week,” she said. “That way everyone can see each dog and learn a little bit more about their personality and we are hoping we can do a foster-to-adopt program.”
The foster-to-adopt program will allow the Humane Society to find the right individual for each dog, because according to Nordal, the circumstances of the dogs makes it a unique adoption process.
“It is a very different situation because they are so damaged, mentally, physically, emotionally,” she said. “It’s going to be a lot more work, so we are just hoping we can find the best fit when it comes to these 12 dogs.”
Even with a tentative opening date in mid-May, Nordal said the shelter still will not be in a position to take in any new animals just yet.
“Our goal is to empty out shelter out, get all these animals we currently have right now into suitable homes, and then have First General come back and sanitize the building top to bottom again,” she said.
The recent influx of so many rescued dogs, as well as the respiratory outbreak, has left the already financially strained organization in a difficult position, with officials saying the Humane Society will need to raise at least $50,000 in the next two months to remain open.
“Everything adds up,” Nordal said. “For one month of care alone just for the original 12 dogs was $29,000. I don’t think a lot of people understand that. It’s tough with us being closed, especially since we are going to be closed until mid-May.”
Nordal said they are still reaching out to the public for help and will be hosting a series of fundraisers in the future. More information can be found on the Thunder Bay District Humane Society website.
