By Daniel Pi
South Delta Leader
dpi@southdeltaleader.com

While the Delta Humane Society is scheduled to open its doors Jan. 2, 2005, staff and volunteers might also be required to open their homes to stray or homeless cats.
Even though the society has won the Corporation of Delta's animal control contract from the BC SPCA, it's been having trouble finding the required equipment for the shelter at 7450 80th St. in Tilbury.
It's particularly short on cat cages, or ferry kennels, said the society's spokesperson Amanda Muir.
Twelve cages, costing almost $10,000, are on order and should arrive in about two weeks.
In the meantime, Muir said "we might have to bring some pets home."
However, she added the lack of equipment won't affect the society's ability to deliver services.
Muir said information on pets put in temporary foster homes will be available at the shelter and the society's website at www.deltahumanesociety.org. It will include digital images for people to see.
The Delta Humane Society won the three-year animal control contract on Oct. 18 receiving $225,000 per year from the municipality and a portion of revenue from dog licenses sold.
The municipality's decision to change to the humane society follows the "Cheech" affair when the Delta SPCA tried to euthanize a young Rottweiler/Labrador cross that some staff members and volunteers thought could be rehabilitated.
In the end a volunteer spirited away the dog, sparking the controversy. Cheech's whereabouts are still unknown, but he is reportedly doing fine.
Muir said the money from the municipality is only meant to cover fees for running services set out in the contract, as well as paying staff.
Besides being short on actual pet care equipment, Muir said the society was also lacking office equipment for the shelter until volunteers signed on to a local Freecycle Network, an online organization that swaps, or recycles, unwanted items for free.
The society was able to obtain small animal cages, two freezers, two computers, a desk and a fax machine from freecylcing, Muir said.
Muir added local pet stores and other animal rescue groups have been supportive of the society and they currently have an agreement in place to purchase or swap equipment between them.
"There's things we're obviously going to have to buy from pet supply stores," Muir said.
Muir is also hoping for local support, from individuals or businesses, saying "they're supporting a local shelter." The society is also a non-profit charity.
The Delta Humane Society will open its doors on Jan. 2, 2005 at 10 a.m. To find out more information, contact them at 604-940-7111.

Delta Humane Society staff members (L-R) Kirsten McConnell, Amanda Muir and Nick Henze, seen here with dogs Ling and Travis, will begin moving into the Tilbury animal shelter Jan. 1.