FERGUS – Pet Valu Fergus wrapped up their weekend of adoptions a day early due to overwhelming support from the community.
North Bay and District Humane Society toured down to Fergus with their 24-foot Animal Rescue & Relief Transport trailer and 19 animals to find new families here in Centre Wellington.
The adoption event was initially set to take two days and over 10 hours, but Centre Wellington cleaned house and adopted all available dogs, cats, kittens and puppies before the first day was over.
Franchisees and operators of Pet Valu Fergus, Nina and Greg Querin, said potential adopters showed up on the Sunday not knowing how great a success Saturday was.
North Bay and District Humane have actually partnered with Pet Valu Fergus in 2022 for a similar event, however, Northern Ontario has recognized an influx in local strays and rescues.
Greg Querin said the much larger population in Southern Ontario gives a better chance for these animals in-need.
Another reason to bring the animals down into Fergus is because Northern Ontario is much more sparse so removing animals from shelters up north opens more opportunities for proper care in areas like North Bay, Thunder Bay and beyond.
Janet Bredin, shelter manager at the partnering Humane, spoke with The Grand @ 101 on September 15 and said these “shotgun” adoptions are a great way to address the influx of pets needing care in Northern Ontario.
It’s not just dogs that need care and adoptions.
“The outcry for these animals and the actual, genuine life-and-death situation that they face; seasonally, health-medical those sorts of things, it is absolutely critical these events take place because it showcases, more than anything the crisis I think these animals are facing right now,” Bredin said | Photo Credit: Pet Valu Fergus
Though Bredin said the adoption event should not be overshadowed by the influx of animals-in-need; Fergus’ compassion and support tied with professional veterinary care is what’s needed for these animals.
Keeping animals in shelters, especially for extended periods of time, can ramp up costs.
Fergus Pet Valu also supported the North Bay and District Humane by providing over $1,800 worth of welfare necessities which were donated by local residents including a donation made by an anonymous local valued at around $600.
Despite the massive success Greg and Nina Querin are hopeful North Bay and District Humane will travel to other communities in the province to open as many opportunities as possible.
The Querins are happy and thankful to be hosting this adoption event on top of supporting the local humane societies.
