Fewer people are adopting animals during this time. (submitted photo/Northern Animal Rescue)

By Derek Cornet

animal welfare

NAR reducing services due to COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 18, 2020 | 1:02 PM

Northern Animal Rescue will only accepted surrendered animals on a case-by-case basis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s according to board member Joanne Dickson, who said the organization lacks the resources to deal with as many surrenders like they did in the past. She noted it’s due to the current state of emergency in Alberta and how the capacity to accept animals in that province has lessened.

“The reason is because of this recent pandemic, things are playing out day-by-day minute-by-minute,” Dickson said. “Since August 2019, most of those animals have been transferred to Alberta groups and, because of the state of emergency they have now, their capacity to take in animals is lessened. Also, because of their economic situation, they don’t have access to as much funding or as many as resource they had in the past.”

Dickson also mentioned it seems like fewer people are adopting animals due to fear. She added there’s a lot of uncertainty right now, but people shouldn’t panic and think they need to surrender their pets.

“We’re listening to the news like everyone else and just playing it by ear,” Dickson said. “We don’t want to stop helping animals, however, we feel owned pets can stay where they are right now. We will provide supplies and supports for those people if they are having a difficult time affording their pet or caring for their pet with everything else going on.”

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Northern Animal Rescue is still operational, however, as they continue to provide impoundment services for the Town of La Ronge.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno