‘Absolutely amazing’
Humane society treats evacuees to free pet food, supplies
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Evacuees preparing to return home alongside their four-legged companions were given some much-needed pet supplies on Monday.
Toys, leashes, blankets, and dog food were among the free items the Winnipeg Humane Society was giving out to those displaced from their homes. Dozens stopped by the Hurst Way building Monday to treat their furry friends.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Valerie Hershmiller, an evacuee from Bakers Narrows. “People don’t realize how expensive it is being out of your home, let alone feeding kids and feeding cats. The stress that has been on our pets alone has been crazy, so being able to have litter and food for them is awesome.”
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Evacuee Berndina McLean of Bakers Narrows near Flin Flon, picks up some free dog food for her two dogs with the help of Winnipeg Humane Society volunteer Ken Lewicki, Monday. Toys, leashes, blankets, and dog food were among the free items the organization was giving to those displaced from their homes due to wildfires.
Two years ago, Hershmiller, a teacher, discovered a fluffy kitten lying alone in a school playground. She couldn’t bear to leave the animal outside with no place else to go, so she took him home to her husband, two sons and cat, Minnie. The new feline was named Oliver.
When the family was forced to evacuate the community, 20 kilometres southeast of Flin Flon, on May 30, she desperately searched for a place to stay that would allow the two cats.
“It was a bit of a nightmare,” said Hershmiller. “It was very stressful to find an accommodating place for us.”
After phoning more than five hotels, she and her family were able to secure a temporary spot at the Hampton Inn in Saskatoon. She said the trip, which usually takes about six hours, took 11 to 12 hours because they had to drive around the raging fires.
They ended up staying in the hotel for a few days because it cost more than $180 each night, a price they couldn’t afford without their Canadian Red Cross payments, which did not come until a week later.
They ended up at a family friend’s house in Winnipeg for a while and are now staying in a temporary apartment her dad arranged. They’ve lived there for a week now.
“We’ve got support. We’ve had tons of people helping us, tons of people lending hands. You see the good side of people in these times of need, and that’s great.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Evacuees Valerie Hershmiller and her two sons, Logan (left) and Levi, of Bakers Narrows near Flin Flon, pick up some free supplies for their two cats at WHS, Monday.
“I feel like we’re kind of blessed because we have us, and we have our animals, and we’re safe.”
The mandatory evacuation for Bakers Narrows remains but Hershmiller’s home has not been caught in the wildfires proximity. She remains positive that she will be able to return home soon, as neighbouring Flin Flon residents begin to return as early as Wednesday.
massimo.deluca-taronno@freepress.mb.ca
