ST. PAUL - The St. Paul Animal Shelter has reached out to the Town of St. Paul for financial assistance, amid an extended period of challenging times.
Board members Anna Leskiw and Cheryl Mailloux attended the Sept. 13 Town of St. Paul council meeting as a virtual delegation. The main issue facing the shelter is a reduction in bingo-related fundraising revenue, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to attract smaller crowds to the local bingo hall.
"We don't know what's coming up," said Leskiw, adding, if bingo halls were to close again due to the pandemic, there could be further challenges.
The reduction in fundraising revenue is coupled with the fact that the shelter is quite full, as far as caring for animals. The organization recently took in a female dog who had a litter of 10 surviving puppies. Spaying and neutering the puppies was a costly endeavour.
When the COVID-19 pandemic initially hit in March of 2020, the shelter closed its doors. A new manager was hired for the shelter prior to the organization's reopening, ensuring the facility was ready to hit the ground running. A lot of animals have been taken in over the past few months, and many have been adopted out, heard council.
"We do not want to close the doors again," said Leskiw.
The shelter previously received financial assistance from the Town of St. Paul between July 2019 and December 2019, after the group moved to its newly built location outside Town limits.
Leskiw said the organization has applied for a grant, but hasn't heard back yet, and she is looking for other opportunities. She said the organization has tried to fundraise in other ways, such as a recent bottle drive. But, members are hoping to get back to their previous fundraising approach of working bingos once the pandemic is over.
The animal shelter has organized other events in the past, but struggled to get support from the community, heard council.
Mayor Maureen Miller noted the Town has been happy to work alongside the animal shelter, but she wouldn't want to see the organization become dependant on the municipality for funds.
Coun. Norm Noel thanked the shelter board members for the work that is being done. He said he would be in touch with the non-profit after the council meeting because he personally wanted to get involved with the group to help out.
It was noted that the animal shelter does work a casino in Camrose to raise funds, but those opportunities only come around every three years. Work is being done to see if the shelter can work a casino in Fort McMurray.
Town administration was directed to look at the funding request, which would be for $1,000 per month - the same monthly amount provided in 2019.
