Montréal, July 2022
We need your help.
After two years of the pandemic that put our team’s resilience to the test, we are now dealing with a series of new crises: increased in-takes, inflation and labour shortages.
Summer is by far the busiest time of the year at the shelter. Moving season provokes many abandonments and it’s also the peak time of the year for kitten births and injured wildlife. But this year, we are seeing new patterns as well: dozens of animals are entrusted to us because their guardians are hospitalized, simply cannot find an apartment where animals are accepted or cannot afford to pay veterinary fees. This is the case of Bibi’s family who entrust her to us because they could no longer afford their cat’s major orthopedic and respiratory treatments. There was also Rosie, a young dog with a lively demeanour, whose owner died.
Caring for all these animals is expensive, and our costs are going up. Inflation is having a devastating impact on the shelter. For instance, tanking our patrol trucks now costs 65% more than it did last year, and our drug and biosafety equipment bills have skyrocketed. And that’s not counting our infrastructure issues. Although we have renovated our animal housing spaces over the past few years, our building is in need of repair. There are frequent ventilation, electrical and plumbing problems. Each new breakage forces us to make heartbreaking choices.
Meanwhile, we are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain staff. The meager wage increases we are able to offer are not keeping up with the rising cost of living. Without a full team, who will take care of the animals?
Donations make up the bulk of our funding. Your support allows us to care for the animals in our care and to place them in adequate foster homes so our protégés can quickly get back on their feet. This is why, more than ever, we need your help.
Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Élise Desaulniers
Executive director
