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For Immediate Release
New animal shelter takes
shape in Gimli
By Roger Newman
Friday December 31, 2004
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Interlake Spectator — Construction
is proceeding slowly but surely on a new $28,000 Gimli animal shelter scheduled
to open this spring.
Volunteers are mostly building the shelter on Tudor Lane in Gimli Industrial
Park.
“We had a whole crew out to work on the Thanksgiving weekend,” says Gail
Kreutzer, chair of the Gimli Animal Shelter Committee which is spearheading the
project. “And the job will be completed in spring when we plan to have a grand
opening.”
The committee came into being two years ago shortly after Kreutzer and other
volunteers started walking dogs picked up by Gimli Animal Control Officer Rene
Granger. There is currently a shelter for eight dogs at the industrial park, but
that will be expanded to 14 dog runs when the new building opens. As well, there
will be a section for cats for the first time.
“The new shelter will also have a reception area and showers for the animals,
many of whom are in rough shape when they arrive at the shelter,” Kreutzer said.
Besides walking dogs and building shelters, Kreutzer’s committee also purchases
food for the canines and places advertisements offering them for adoption if
their owners can’t be found.
“Approximately 200 of our dogs have been adopted in the past two years,” she
said. "The committee has really evolved a lot, mostly because the shelter and
its work have been supported and embraced by the community.”
She said RM of Gimli council has “generously” provided the land and major
financing for the shelter. The committee also depends on donations for animal
food, leashes, shelter amenities and advertisements offering pets for adoption.
It has a Gimli Credit Union account where contributions are gratefully accepted.
Inquiries about the committee’s work can be addressed to Kreutzer at 642-4452 or
Granger at 389-3301. In addition, the committee’s website furnishes pertinent
details, including the number of pets available for adoption.
Kreutzer is a Riverton school teacher in the Evergreen School Division. She is
also a dedicated pet lover who volunteers not only in Gimli, but also for the
Winnipeg Humane Society. Her Winnipeg work has given her a measure of public
prominence, as she and Vicki Burns, the society’s executive director, co-host a
program every Monday at 8 p.m. on Radio Station CJOB.
“We discuss all kinds of animal issues,” Kreutzer said.
For More Information Contact:
Gimli Animal Shelter
Gimli Industrial Park
Tel: 204-642-4775
FAX:
Internet:
gimlianimalshelter@mts.net
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