Kittens being fostered with the Southern Alberta Humane Society (Courtesy: Bob Schneider) 

By Jessie Weisner

NEW ANIMAL RESCUE

New local animal rescue gaining traction

Sep 13, 2019 | 4:21 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A new animal rescue foundation is operating in Medicine Hat.

The Southern Alberta Humane Society started up in May as a no kill shelter for both strays and owner-relinquished animals.

The foundation was launched by De Seaton after she was let go by the Medicine Hat SPCA, along with Nicole Carlson, a former SPCA shelter manager.

Seaton is the president of the board, while Carlson is Treasurer.

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“We started May 3, we filed for our provincial papers and slowly built up,” says Seaton. “We held our first fundraiser and started to accept animals.”

Seaton has an ultimate goal of operating in a brick and mortar building, but for now, they’re depending on fosters for the 28 animals in their care.

The foundation is working to adopt out the animals, and has already succeeded with four.

It operates in Medicine Hat, Redcliff and Cypress County.

Seaton says the physical shelter will likely be in Redcliff because of a high demand.

“We’ve already talked to the town of Redcliff, they are really wanting us there,” she says. “We’re hoping that’s where we can focus.”

However, it isn’t easy operating an animal rescue, according to Trudy McKinnon, former president of Save Old Souls Senior Canine Rescue, which operated locally for 20 years.

“You have to be prepared for anything that can happen,” says McKinnon.

Save Old Souls closed it’s doors three years ago today, because of a lack of volunteers and board members.

McKinnon says during her ten years as the president of the foundation, regulations, interpersonal relationships, and finances were the biggest challenges.

“Now the economy is tighter and it’s hard,” says McKinnon. “People want to know exactly where their money is going and what it’s going to accomplish.”

The Southern Alberta Humane Society has been working to fundraiser for its month by month operations, because it isn’t yet eligible for grants.

“Right now we are self funding so every month we have to have a fundraiser to get money,” says Seaton. “We can’t get grants and help until we have federal status and that can take up to a year.”

However, thanks to community support and a love for animals, Seaton says the foundation has only been gaining traction.

“Every month we’re coming up with something to get us money, to keep us going, to take care of our animals, because that’s what it’s all about, our animals. That’s our focus, we’re all volunteers so we’re just giving it our all,” she says.

Their goal is to have a physical shelter by this time next year.

The Southern Alberta Humane Society will have a table set up outside of PetSmart at 110-1921 Strachan Rd SE on Saturday, August 13.