Regina Humane Society howling for help after it runs out of room for dogs

Just months after moving into a bigger facility, the Regina Humane Society is issuing an urgent plea for help.

It has run out of room for dogs.

Bill Thorn, the director of marketing and public relations for the humane society, said the facility needs as many dogs adopted as possible.

“We’ve got wonderful dogs, but they are just not going home,” he said. “It’s at a situation we have never really seen before.”

Thorn said adoptions have greatly slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dogs are waiting 64 per cent longer to be adopted.

“A lot of people acquired animals — the demand was very high — and as the pandemic wound down, that demand dwindled, but the supply of dogs did not,” he said.

The new Animal Community Centre. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME file photo)

If people are unable to adopt, Thorn said the humane society would be looking to send the dogs to foster homes.

He said this is a problem that other humane societies and shelters are facing right now.

“We’ve just got to a point where it’s kind of getting to the crescendo, and we are trying to avoid any other problems,” he said.

All adoption fees have been reduced to $25. The adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, tattoo, microchip, and post-adoption veterinary exam.

The humane society moved into its new location in February from its previous location on Armour Road.

The facility cost $28 million, with the humane society raising $15 million of that amount.

The humane society received numerous gifts during its fundraising campaign, including $1 million from the Lothian family, $1.1 million from Gerda Fiesel and $500,000 from Dream Developments.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Giancarlo Cininni