Battlefords Humane Society asks town for increase in funding

“In asking for the increase, yes, it is a big jump from where they were but considering how many years and the amount of increase, we have had in our costs, etcetera and with no increase in their payments for a lot of years,” she said adding last year they did increase their contribution to $6,000, although the organization had asked for double that.

According to Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie, the council will go through the numbers and consider the request.

“I think council will have some questions back to the humane society as to what fully encompasses why such a big ask in one year.”

According to the humane society’s statement of operations for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, the revenue received from grants was $154,750. Of the 659 animals that were brought into the shelter, 70 came from the town and the financial statements show the largest portions of the expenses come from the veterinary and wages.

In 2021, the average cost per animal was $519 ($36,330), taking the vet bills and staff wages into account. The total amount for those two expenses came to $342,000 that year although it dropped to $320,000 the following year due to cutting staff and costs.

“Our number of animals increased significantly,” she said of the jump to 829 or 29 per cent and the cost per animal went down to $386.

The letter submitted to the council added an assumption that if the 26 per cent applied equally to both North Battleford and the town then roughly $33,968 of cost come from the town.

“The $6,000 just does not come near helping us, we need more help.”

The organization is also supported through other efforts like fundraising, donations, and adoptions but much of the revenue comes from the city as they are paying $150,000 along with the building being in the city and utilities and maintenance covered.

“It just seems that our shelter is getting busier and busier and especially now, we’re getting closer to winter,” said Fauth.

“We have times that we are so over full,” she said, noting there are over 100 animals currently in the shelter.

“Our ideal capacity would be 70 to 80.”

In addition to holding spaces open for the city and town CSOs, they also have Lakeland Veterinary Services and foster homes to help with space.

“Those are people that have stepped up and will take some of these animals into their homes and look after them for us,” of the 100 or so currently in care.

“We also continue to feed and provide medical care,” said Fauth.

“At the moment, we’re probably looking after about 200 animals and we just don’t have room for anymore.”

As a result of the overcrowding, Fauth explained they have to turn people away.

“Then quite often we end up having them thrown at us or dumped on us somewhere along the line.”

Meanwhile, the treasurer isn’t sure what the solution is and what it could look like for the town. It may mean that they don’t accept animals from Battleford.

“We have not done that yet, that is not our intent and that’s not what we want to do, but we have to go with what’s happening and where our support is coming from.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @jls194864

by Julia Lovett-Squires

Battlefords Humane Society asks town for increase in funding

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