The ongoing wildfires in Jasper have not only impacted humans but also their beloved pets. The Hinton and District SPCA Animal Care Centre has stepped up to provide temporary housing for numerous pets from Jasper free of charge until their owners can return home or find alternative accommodations.
Cathy Thomas, the fundraising and special projects coordinator at the Hinton SPCA, shared that the Municipality of Jasper’s bylaw enforcement contacted them on the night of the evacuation on July 23 to seek assistance in housing pets. Initially, they were asked to take in one dog, three cats, and a bird. However, as the situation unfolded, more pets were brought to the care center for shelter.
As of August 2, the Hinton SPCA had taken in a total of 21 cats, one dog, four birds, two snails, two snakes, and four fish. Due to limited space, the staff had to get creative and repurpose rooms to accommodate the various animals, including using the pet meeting room for fish, snakes, and birds.
The Hinton SPCA has previous experience in providing temporary housing for evacuated pets, as they also assisted pets from Edson during wildfires last year. In this current situation, some pet owners were unable to retrieve their animals during the evacuation, either due to being out of town or not having enough time to gather their pets.
While some pets have been reunited with their owners, many are still being housed at the care center as their owners are unable to house them at the moment. Lendy McLeod, a board member with the Hinton SPCA, mentioned the challenges faced by pet owners in finding suitable housing that accommodates their pets, such as having a snake in a hotel room.
The Hinton SPCA has assured pet owners that they will continue to provide free housing for evacuated pets until the owners are able to take them back. Owners can reclaim their pets by showing identification, as the Municipality of Jasper bylaw enforcement has provided the care center with owner information.
The community’s support for the Hinton SPCA and the evacuated pets has been remarkable, with many individuals donating to help cover the costs of caring for the animals. For those interested in donating, the Hinton SPCA website provides a list of donation options.
As the situation in Jasper continues to evolve, pet owners who still have pets at their residences can submit an online pet rescue form to ensure the safety and well-being of their animals. The Hinton SPCA remains committed to providing support and care for these pets during this challenging time.
