THUNDER BAY – Things are starting to get back to normal at the Thunder Bay District Humane Society after a record-setting day for cat adoptions.
Jon Focht, the organization’s events, marketing and communications co-ordinator, said they sent 14 cats to new homes on Tuesday, helping to alleviate an overcrowding situation that led them to declare a state of crisis at the Rosslyn Road facility.
The public also stepped up with donations of food, crates and kitty litter, needed to help care for the abundance of animals.
The situation developed after 23 cats were abandoned at a Thunder Bay park – 21 survived – and another 50 cats dropped off unrelated to the incident, which is still under investigation.
“This is fantastic to see,” Focht said on Wednesday.
“It’s always good to see that the community is responding to such a good cause. It’s what we need. We need help from the community, so it’s perfect.”
To help move more felines out the door, the TBDHS has reduced adoption fees to $50 until Monday, and officials noted several older cats have had their fees waived entirely.
Focht said the facility has also reached out to the Ontario SPCA and are looking to transport some of the overflow to southern Ontario to help thin the ranks a little in Thunder Bay and reduce the strain on the Humane Society’s staff and bottom line.
They’ve also applied for funding from Pet Smart charities to help with the unforeseen costs.
The Humane Society is about halfway to its $200,000 goal to help build a low-cost spay-and-neuter clinic.
Focht said they are hoping to break ground before the snow falls.
