Three-year run coming to end
Delta Humane Society rejects offer, saying even with proposed increase there isn't enough to run shelter
Sandor Gyarmati, The Delta Optimist
Published: Wednesday, December 19, 2007
"This will become the role of municipalities in the future; that's my sense anyways."

Correria said she's not sure how Delta can operate at the price it wants because her society raised a lot of money not covered by the base funding, while civic administration will be needed to take over the role her board members have been doing for free.

Saying she now has to interview to keep her job, shelter manager Sarah Lowe noted the facility has a lot more cats to deal with this year, and now it looks like more dogs, including dogs that need a lot of medical attention and behavioural work, are showing up.

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Font:****"We're beyond full. We have 20 dogs and had upwards of 26 dogs in this past month. We had them in makeshift kennels and in the bathroom," she said.

Four of the dogs currently at the shelter are considered "long termers" because they've been there for many months. They include a large brother and sister pair that staff would like to adopt out together to a home that has a yard.

According to the society, it had 631 incoming animals in 2005, a figure that has jumped to 800 this year.

"Our numbers have increased every year and our costs have increased every year," said Lowe. "And because we practice in a pro-humane way we're spending more money on veterinarian fees. Even though we get veterinarian care that's donated, we're spending about $5,000 a month."

Lowe, who pointed out the shelter only accepts animals from Delta, said there's been a big increase in the number of pets surrendered, particularly cats. When it comes to dogs, she said, many that have been impounded lately are not being claimed by their owners

"Right now we have a full house of black cats and we have a full house of black dogs. We also have a lot of pit bulls and because they are called a dangerous dog breed we try to adopt them out of Delta as much as possible. People who adopt them in Delta have to have a $300 dog licence and a six-sided pen in their back yard."

Saying she believes in everything the Delta Humane Society stands for, Lowe is confident Delta will continue with the same pro-humane philosophy.

The shelter will be renamed the Delta Community Animal Shelter once the municipality assumes control.

Although it has challenges, including a shortage of volunteers, the facility has a bright future, Lowe added.