Animal shelter still operating: manager

Despite a few setbacks over the past year, Stephenville's Society for the Care and Protection of Animals is still working to make sure animals in the local area have safe homes with caring owners.

"A lot of people think we're closed," said Gwen Samms, shelter manager. "I've run into a few people that usually donate and we haven't been receiving donations from them. They've said they thought the shelter was closed."

Ms. Samms said all animals are checked and cleared by a veterinarian before being adopted from the shelter.

Seven students enrolled in a community studies program via distance education at Cape Breton University are hoping to aid the shelter over the next few months.

Paula Benoit and Carol Ann Caines, both Stephenville residents, are among the group of students, who are required to hold a 'community intervention' as part of their coursework. The group chose the shelter as the recipient.

"We felt that they could use our help," said Ms. Benoit.

The local students said they met with Ms. Samms in October to discuss the needs of the shelter and how they could develop a strategic plan around some of those needs.

In addition to raising funds for shelter upgrades, the students are aiming to raise public awareness about the importance of the shelter in the community and overall responsible pet ownership.

"We've set up a blog with links to the SCAPA Facebook page, their homepage, we're also posting pet profiles on there,' said Ms. Benoit, noting the blog has been set up to receive online donations.

Ms. Caines said they would also be visiting area schools to give presentations about taking care of a pet.

"It's basically to introduce to them what SCAPA does and what they're all about, and taking care of your pets and where to get their pets spayed and neutered," said Ms. Caines.

Both ladies said they hope others would continue their work one their course finishes.

"After March, we're not going to leave them high and dry," said Ms. Caines. "We're hoping to meet with [shelter] committee to pass over the blog to them ... and then hopefully they'll continue to receive donations."

Ms. Samms said she appreciates the students' efforts.

"It would help, I know they're trying," said Ms. Samms.

For more information or to adopt an animal, call Ms. Samms at 643-2811, or visit the students' blog at http://studentshelpingscapa.blogspot.com.

editor@thegeorgian.ca