UCHS seeks help with expansion to cat shelter

Due to the increased number of stray and abandoned pets, the Upper Credit Humane Society needs to expand its Erin-based shelter.

The Society, which serves the Halton Hills area as well as Eramosa and Erin, has helped more than 1,000 stray and abandoned animals find new homes in the last three years.

But to continue to meet the increasing demand for its services, the Upper Credit Humane Society (UCHS) is remodeling part of the shelter at 5383 Wellington Rd., Erin (at Trafalgar Rd. N.).

In addition to the animals being provided with a warm, safe, environment, they are examined by a vet, given shots, spayed and neutered, housetrained where necessary and individual training is offered where appropriate-- everything to help ensure the animal will find a secure future with an adoptive family.

The shelter is constantly overwhelmed by the number of stray cats found on the street-- each year it has increased-- and it is now mandatory that the Society renovate the shelter in order to add a third cat room, specifically for homeless kittens.

This will allow people to view and meet the kittens in a friendly, relaxed one-stop environment. The present situation of finding foster families to look after the kittens, and bring them backwards and forwards when prospective adoptive families are found is not cost or time efficient.

To make room, the Thrift Shop, currently located in the shelter will be moving to a Georgetown location, and its space will become a larger, more efficient office, reception area and volunteer gathering space. New ramps will be constructed to maintain wheelchair access to the shelter.

The estimated cost of the project is $2,500 with a targeted completion date of April 15. UCHS is seeking the public's help for donations.

The Society is also seeking skilled volunteers to assist with the construction and moving tasks involved. If you would like to be a part of this venture, call 519-833-2287.