Virus takes toll on animal shelters as volunteer numbers, donations fade

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/03/2020 (2034 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

D’Arcy Johnston is unsure how he’s going to support the more than 125 animals in his shelter in the coming weeks.

Johnston is the founder of D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Centre and he has seen a significant drop in food and monetary donations, as well as volunteer staff since the first cases of coronavirus were detected in Manitoba last week.

“We have about 80 to 90 volunteers that come in every week and that’s already down to 50 this week,” Johnston said. “Less volunteers coming in (means) the dogs might not necessarily get walked… and when you have that many animals in the facility they all have to be cleaned and looked after.

“Without volunteers I have to pay staff to do that.”

The Century Street shelter was still open to the public Wednesday and Johnston said he and his eight staff members will continue to care for the animals if he is directed to close the doors. To prepare for that situation, D’Arcy’s ARC has stopped taking in new rescue animals and is considering offering a pet food delivery service for customers of the charity’s pet supply store.

“We’re not taking anything right now, because in two weeks if the budget is not there I can’t afford to look after them,” Johnston said, adding that he is concerned what that might mean for the influx of animals the shelter usually sees in the spring.

“Kitten season is right around the corner and last year we had 150 kittens in one week at the shelter.”

D’Arcy’s ARC is not looking for foster homes for its animals right now. Those interested in dropping off food can leave donations outside at the shelter’s front or back door.

The Winnipeg Humane Society has cancelled all of its classes and its adoptions, intake and clinic areas can be accessed by appointment only. On Monday, the agency put out an urgent call on social media for fosters.

The city’s Animal Services department has also seen a drop in volunteers and adoption applications in the last few days. There are currently 28 animals in its shelter and the agency is responding only to emergency and stray animals.

“If the shelter is required to close, animal reunions and adoptions will be by appointment only,” a city spokesperson told the Free Press via email.

eva.wasney@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @evawasney