Humane Society Yukon May Be Forced to Shut Down before End of Year

Friday, 8 November 2019 16:28

The Mae Bachur Society has plenty of dogs and cats in need of adoption! (Photo courtesy of Humane Society Yukon)

After 30 years the Humane Society Whitehorse is at risk of shutting its doors as soon as December if it can’t come up with the money it needs to operate. Currently the shelter takes in cats and dogs from around the territory and houses them in their Whitehorse location.

They are a no-kills shelter that vaccinates, spays, neuters and chips the animals before trying to find new owners. The shelter sees 25% of its budget provided by the government and supports the remaining 75% through donations and adoption fees but it has had a few lean years. At this point there are at least 10 animals in need of desperate veterinarian care, but with the shelter already owing thousands in vet fees the board of directors is at a loss. Society Treasurer Carol Oberg says the society is pretty desperate.

Oberg says operating the shelter has always been difficult financially, but recently legal fees, and increased food costs have resulted in even tighter budgetary needs. Currently the shelter is one of two in the Yukon, with the other located in Dawson City (which accepts animals from Dawson as well as other communities including Old Crow, Mayo and Pelly Crossing). Were the Whitehorse shelter to shut down Oberg is not sure what would happen to animals in need. If the shelter is forced to close, Oberg is not sure what would happen to animals in need, but she hazards that there would likely be more animals put down. The Mae Bachur shelter (the shelter associated with Humane Society Yukon) is a no kill shelter and normally accepts animals from city bylaw, but with it gone, it would be very difficult to find a space for Yukon’s animals.

When asked when the shelter might be forced to shut down, Oberg said if nothing changes, maybe the end of December, but really much sooner in reality. They will be meeting with the members in the next coming weeks and depending on the outcome of that meeting the shelter’s fate may be sealed. Still she remains optimistic. The Humane Society will be holding a public meeting Tuesday, November 26^th at 7pm at the Gray Mountain Room at Mount McIntyre. The meeting will be seeking guidance, direction and leadership from the community at large. She hopes that the public can attend, and that Humane Society Yukon is going to be asking Yukoners directly what they wish to see in a shelter and how the location can be kept alive. Until then the Humane Society Yukon has posted a Go Fund Me in an attempt to earn some of the funds it badly needs.

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