The Simcoe and District Humane Society is continuing to feel the squeeze of having an overwhelming number of animals in need and limited amount of dollars available to help.
President Cathie Hosken spoke with us about the many animals in their care, from calls for sick horses to the cat population once again booming.
She said it’s clear, that even with so many volunteer groups in the community trying their best, it isn’t enough.
Looking at cats in our community alone is a daily struggle for our local groups.
From a stray cat in a neighbourhood to a barn full of cats and kittens, the calls come daily.
A few years ago, the county put money down for these groups to spay and neuter cats, but since the start of the pandemic, that money has stopped flowing.
Hosken says while it’s gotten better fundraising in person, there was a long stretch during COVID when donations slowed and animals needs stayed the same or increased – putting them into pretty tough conversations like closing the doors to all animals until they could recoup the losses or being highly selective on what animals to bring in.
Hosken understands that the county will likely be hesitant to hire someone, but she notes that they only reason they are staying afloat right now is because of residents of Norfolk putting money down.
Hosken, and other groups, got into this role to help out the animals in our community.
But it becomes draining when you are constantly asking for money, fighting uphill battles, and know other municipalities have support in place that you simply don’t have.
She said it’s clear now, that it’s time for the county to invest in a permanent solution – Animal Control.
Hosken says at this point, she has mostly just talked about the cat population – but that really is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the calls they get.
She says they have turned into a “411” trying to connect people to other volunteer groups or organizations to help out.
In an area with such a big wildlife population and an exploding cat population – she is hoping that people will share her concerns and want the county to do more because this model isn’t working.
That petition can be found here.