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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 Expanding
shelter needs help
Successful animal shelter short on donations, volunteers
By Roger Newman
Friday April 29, 2005
Interlake Spectator — The
Gimli Animal Shelter is becoming a major operation. More than 250 of the
shelter’s dogs have been adopted by Eastern
Interlake
residents since the adoption program was started just over two years ago.
“Currently, we’re down to four dogs in our shelter on
Tudor Lane at the industrial park,” says Animal
Control Officer Rene Granger. “This is the fewest we’ve had in a long time.”
The shelter has become an integral part of the region’s infrastructure since
Granger was joined in his work by a volunteer committee chaired by Gail Kreutzer.
The volunteers started as dog walkers, but they are now well into building a new
$28,000 shelter that will double capacity to 14 from seven kennels. A section
for cats will also be added in the new 1,250 square foot building which will
include showers for the animals, an office area and outdoor dog runs. “The
building is 75 per cent complete and should be finished in early summer,” said
Granger who is animal control officer for the RM
of Gimli, Winnipeg
Beach,
Dunnottar and Riverton.
Kreutzer said the shelter’s steady growth has increased the need for donations
which fuel the committee’s work. She said money is needed to buy food for the
dogs because the committee recently lost its major food sponsor. As well, there
are necessary expenditures for leashes, veterinarians, garbage bags, office
equipment and advertising to make the public aware of potential adoptions.
“Fortunately, we have just been granted charitable status so that we can now
issue tax receipts for donations of $10 or more,” Kreutzer said.
Anybody wishing to help the committee’s work can make a donation at the Gimli
Credit Union or to Box
263, Arnes, MB, ROC-OCO. In addition, the committee needs more dog walkers to
supplement its roster of adult volunteers, Gimli high school students and 4-H
club members.
“If people want to become involved, I’m at the shelter every weekday morning
from 9 to 10 a.m.,” Granger said.
“Volunteers can also show up Wednesdays from
4.30 to 5.30 p.m.
for our regular walking period.”
Granger said some volunteer walkers, including students, have become the
adoptive parents of shelter dogs.
“Some dogs are with us for a while others are adopted fairly quickly,” Granger
said, adding that dogs are never put down unless they are too ill or dangerous
for adoption. “Just when you think a dog will never be adopted, someone comes in
and says this is the perfect pet for me.”
He said an adoption costs $120 which covers vaccination, rabies and distemper
shots, and spaying or neutering which is necessary to control the animal
population.
“For that outlay, we’ll give you a turn-key dog,” he jokes.
Kreutzer said the committee is always on the lookout for more board members to
help organize shelter fundraisers such as raffles and craft sales.
Volunteers can call her at 642-4452 or Granger at 389-3301.
For More Information Contact:
Gimli Animal Shelter
Gimli Industrial Park
Tel: 204-642-4775
FAX:
Internet:
gimlianimalshelter@mts.net
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