MLDHS closed to new intakes

Mimi, as Shaylee has dubbed her, came to the MLDHS much in the same way others do, either as rescues or surrenders.

“We have a lot of dogs in foster homes,” Mazuren said, adding the most recent intake came from La Loche and other communities up north.

That is where Mimi came from and due to her condition, she was unable to be transferred to other shelters. The humane society has room for 13 cages, and all are full.

Mimi before her wash and shave. (Submitted/Shaylee Mazuren)

“We probably at least 14. I’d say 15 to 20 dogs over the weekend, that includes puppies that would have died in the cold,” Mazuren said.

With regards to what is causing the constant influx of animals, the vice president said it runs deeper than owners not wanting to spay and neuter.

“La Loche and Turner (Island) specifically, they are two of our more northern communities we help, and they don’t have access to vet care,” she said.

Meadow Lake is also down to one veterinarian as he retired last summer.

“We’ve actually been transporting our animals out of town, like I recently created a partnership with Turtleford, and we have our first spay and neuter day with them on Feb. 27,” she said.

Karlee Mazuren, board member and Shaylee’s sister is responsible for much of the intakes and transfers of dogs from one location to the next.

“We rely heavily on transfers because if we didn’t, the dogs – especially the dogs, not so much the cats – but the dogs would sit in cages for years and years and years,” she said, pointing to the lack of adoptions.

“It’s just the reality of being in northern (Saskatchewan) surrounded by other communities that have dog problems and we’re kind of that first building where they can seek refuge.”

Thus transfers, either to southern shelters or out of province to Alberta have allowed for the MLDHS to move forward with their service. However, it is time consuming – she has to drive all over both provinces and the trips are never the same.

“It just always depends on what they can intake,” said the board member.

Last week, they transferred a husky to Saskatoon, next week, a volunteer will transport a litter of five and an extra dog to other shelters and later in the month, she’ll take 10 or more to Calgary.

“A lot of places, I’ve been able to build really good relationships with so, if they do have openings, they’ll message me,” she said.

“We’re always in dire need of an open cage.”

According to Shaylee, when it came to getting the dogs fixed, they will try to grab as many as they can and hope for the best.

“A lot of times these dogs are really loved, they just don’t have vet care, so we will take the mom and puppies and if the owners agree to it, we will spay the mom and return them,” she said.

“That’s what we try and do – keep the dogs in the home.”

On the flipside, one of the issues facing the shelter is that the MLDHS is the dogs who do manage to slip their leash or yards come from the neighboring communities and often go unclaimed by their families. The shelter has a relationship with the City of Meadow Lake and those who are picked up by bylaw officers will have one of two cages to go to.

“They’re taking spots in our shelter so we try to do everything we can to work with the owners to return their dog,” she said.

Another issue is MLDHS is 100 per cent volunteer run and it has resulted in ended in several volunteers burning out. The shelter and its occupants see volunteers twice a day for morning and evening rounds. Shaylee said while volunteers mostly do two-hour shifts, with puppies it can take twice as long.

Mimi after her shave and bath. (Shaylee Mazuren)

Karlee agreed and added more than that, there is also an emotional toll.

“I can only speak for myself but I’m sure everybody else can attest to it: it is very sad when we go in and we see the same dogs for months on end,” she said.

“We know how awesome they are but they’re just getting no applications, nobodies’ interested.”

To help alleviate boredom of being cooped up in a cage, one of their volunteers will take them out on day trips.

“That’s really nice to see because literally living in a cage your entire life with us is not ideal but I think what people don’t see is where they come from.”

To that dog, Karlee said, that cage maybe is their “Saving grace.”

Meanwhile, the shelter is working towards its all-important goal of getting their animals adopted, but to do that, they need to socialize their furry friends and they’re hoping the fostering system will help.

As for little Mimi, she’s been all cleaned up and will have dental work done later this month. Now, the little dog with the tiny body and huge ears has become Shaylee’s little shadow.

“I’m just amazed by her, she is so resilient, she’s so trusting, she likes everybody that she meets,” she said.

“I might end up foster failing her, I’m not going to lie,” she said, laughing.

To learn more about becoming a foster, a volunteer or to donate, visit their Facebook page.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @juleslovett.bsky.social

by Julia Lovett-Squires

MLDHS closed to new intakes

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