3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Saturday, March 28, 2009 Humane Society gives hope to the helpless By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF T hey see humanity at its very best, but also at its absolute worst. These are the ropes of working for the Oakville and District Humane Society, notes Johanne Golder, the Cornwall Road shelter's executive director. "You try and focus on the good stuff." The humane society has had some good things to focus on recently. It received a $90,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which will allow it to computerize its vast records. About 50 Bengal cats rescued last August from an apparent northeast Oakville breeding operation, were successfully adopted, while an AdoptA-Thon in December found homes for about 150 other cats. Despite this, the shelter is still operating at full capacity with some 200 cats and 20 dogs currently calling the shelter home. "It fluctuates daily because some get adopted, they go home, but then more come in," said Golder. Golder noted there is normally a pattern at the humane society with many animals being admitted to the shelter in the spring and summer months while large-scale adoptions take place around the holiday season. For the past two years, however, there has been no slack in admissions, with the shelter forced to house cats in its washrooms, hallways and even in two trailers that had to be rented. "It isn't just us. It's everywhere. All shelters are suffering from the same problem. There are just too many cats," said Golder. "Dogs, generally, are not allowed to roam on their own, but people are still letting their cats out and they're not spaying and neutering them necessarily. On top of that, cats seem to have a whole different status than dogs. Cats seem to be very replaceable, very disposable." Ironically, the issue of animal overload is further compounded by the shelter's humane policies. The shelter is what is known as a `low kill' shelter, meaning animals day and is completely beat when they come home and the dynamic will not work, Golder noted. "A lot of people come in and say, `I like this look,' but look has absolutely nothing to do with anything when it comes down to it," she said. "It's really not all that different from choosing a partner or a mate. You have to think about what you want and is that what that person can give to you and can you fulfill their needs?" Exacting standards has given the Oakville and District Humane Society a reputation of being hard to adopt from, but steps are being taken to change that perception. The shelter is still committed to matching the right animal with the right person, but it is streamlining its operations and adoptions. The counselling session, which is done to make sure the person knows exactly what they're getting into, is done the same day or the day after an animal is selected for adoption. Previous policies stretched the adoption process out over a longer period of time. People should also know that neither adopting or surrendering an aniDAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER mal is free. WAITING PATIENTLY: This pup has patience and hope for a happy future, thanks to the efforts of the dedicated staff The shelter charges $300 plus tax for a puppy and $200 plus tax for a kitmembers of the Oakville and District Humane Society. ten. Older animals cost less. will not be euthanized because of lack "I've raised a lot of motherless bring the animal back, it's just a loseSurrendering an animal to the of space or because they have been in lose situation for everyone." shelter costs around $50 (more if infant kittens and you get up the shelter for a long time. Golder said there are as many they're not vaccinated). "I would love to say we're a `no kill' for the first month or so every types of dogs and cats as there are Such fees are necessary, said shelter, but we can't be," said Golder. two hours, 24 hours a day, to people and people need to think Golder. "I hate to say it, but some people will feed these little guys. You care about what their lifestyle when con"We're not government funded. dump an animal that is really old or for them and nurse them sidering an animal for adoption. Neither the Town nor the Province really ill because they don't want the Some dogs are great for older or less gives us money to be a humane sociealong and then they get responsibility of doing what needs to active families, while other dogs need ty. We do have a contract to do animal be done for it and so we have to euth- adopted and a year later, we an active family to keep them sane. control for the towns of Oakville and get a call that they're missing anize it." "Something like a Border Collie, Milton and we are paid to do that job, Golder said this sad task must also because the family let them they need a job to do. They need activ- but that's totally separate and it doesbe carried out if an animal is injured outside." ity. They need stimulation. One of our n't even come close to covering our beyond repair or if it has severe behavstaff has Australian Shepherds and costs," said Golder. ioural issues, such as aggression, they look at her like, `Tell me what to "To care for these animals, to Johanne Golder, executive director, which make it impossible to adopt. do. Tell me what to do,' and that provide their medical attention, to Oakville and District Humane Another factor, which keeps the would drive me nuts," said Golder. pay the staff to look after them and Society cages full, is the shelter's unwilling"She takes them herding. She to provide the programs we are tryness to place its animals in the hands takes them to flyball. She's constant- ing to provide, that all costs a lot of of people who are not equipped to give time commitment and we don't want ly teaching them stuff and she gets money." them a good home. them to have to come back because off on that. She loves it. They love it. Adoption fees, Golder noted, do "We are very much dedicated to that doesn't help anyone. If a family It's a perfect match." not even cover the cost an animal has matching the right animal to the has already gotten attached to it and Take the same dogs and put them most likely incurred. Besides being right family," said Golder. "It's a life- it's not working out and they have to with someone who works 10 hours a See The page 4 from only S Save up to 50% on selected accessories. 2379 Trafalgar Road 905-257-6145 g Trafalgar Ridge Shopping PLaza (in the Winners/HomeSense plaza) Beside Scotia Bank 399 Expires April 11/09 HOURS: Monday - Friday 10:00-6:00, Saturday 10:00-4:00, Sunday CLOSED