Iqaluit animal shelter set to close

The city of Iqaluit donated this Ulu Lane building to the humane society, who has used it as an animal shelter since 2008. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

The Iqaluit Humane Society, Nunavut’s only animal shelter, will close its doors on Aug. 9.

The non-profit organization, which formed in 2007 and opened the Iqaluit shelter a year later, says it lacks the money and manpower to continue to take in the city’s unwanted pets.

“We’ve been having challenges getting enough volunteers and manpower,” said Janine Budgell, the shelter’s founder and co-ordinator. “Without those key players, it’s just too hard.”

Since 2007, Budgell says the shelter has taken in about 1,200 animals — mostly dogs and cats, but also guinea pigs, iguanas and hamsters.

Budgell could not say how many of those animals were re-adopted, but the vast majority were shipped south to rescue shelters in Ottawa and Montreal.

The shelter operated on roughly $50,000 a year – money raised entirely through local fundraising drives.

That money paid to feed, vaccinate, de-worm and to ship animals south.

The organization also received donations and in-kind support.

The shelter’s Ulu Lane shelter was donated by city workers, and in turn, Budgell said the shelter took in many dogs that were picked up and never claimed.

When the humane society’s board of directors held an emergency meeting Aug. 2, they tried to see how they could keep the shelter open with only eight volunteers signed up to walk and feed its four-legged residents for the month.

Budgell said the directors decided to close the shelter’s doors, although the board hopes to take the time to restructure and raise enough money to re-open and possibly hire a staff member.

Budgell said she hopes the closure will draw attention to the shelter’s work and attract new and committed volunteers.

But she knows that won’t be easy in Nunavut, where ensuring the welfare of people is an even bigger challenge.

“I think Nunavut has a lot of social issues and when you look at where you’re going to allocate funding and support, it’s not going to be to canines,” she said. “But I don’t think our community can feel safe and secure with animals roaming around. [The shelter] is part of maintaining a safe and health community.”

Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern called the closure “a tremendous loss.”

Redfern said the city would continue to provide some of the services offered by the organization, but to a much lesser extent.

“We hope it’s only a temporary closure,” she said. “We’ll attempt to meet with the humane society to see what assistance we can provide. It would be
unfortunate to see an increase in the number of dogs that have to be destroyed.”

Before the shelter closes on Aug. 9, the organization is looking for homes for the nine dogs and cats presently at the shelter.

Budgell said many of the shelter’s former residents arrive sick, scared or aggressive, but have left as healthy animals.

A former humane society volunteer posted on the organization’s Facebook page about her experience adopting one of the shelter’s pets.

Ace was a Greenland dog with serious behavioural issues who lived at the Iqaluit human society last year, when volunteer Terry LeDrew began to walk him.

“From a wild, unmanageable dog that no-one wanted, Ace has become a companion, a friend, a compatriot,” LeDrew wrote. “Thanks to a shelter who saw his potential.”

Based on Ace’s story, Budgell hopes to offer training to volunteers if the shelter manages to gets back on its feet.

“Because that’s a true success story and rehabilitation really works,” she said.

For more information about how to adopt an animal, email info@iqaluithumanesociety.com

Crystal, a three-month-old husky puppy, is looking for a new home. The Iqaluit Humane Society, which operates Nunavut’s only animal shelter, plans to close its doors Aug. 9. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)