That recommendation was forwarded by the city’s executive committee, after hearing concerns that the scope of proposed changes didn’t go far enough. The administration report suggested the bylaw would be at risk of infringing on provincial jurisdiction.

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• Regina to consider adding responsible pet ownership in review of animal bylaw
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Lisa Koch, executive director of the Regina Humane Society, told the committee that responsible pet ownership provisions would be seen as complementary, not conflicting.

Koch joined The Evan Bray Show on Tuesday to elaborate.

Listen to the full interview with Koch:

“It’s more tools in the toolbox to be able to address those situations, and certainly it’s not duplicative of the provincial legislation,” Koch said.

Koch said there appears to have been an increase in what she called incidental dog bites in the community, though cases reported to the humane society are on the decline.

“I think it’s prudent to ensure that we’re doing everything that we can under the bylaw to ensure public safety, and we know, as a humane society, that the best way to do that is prevention,” she said.

The first phase of consultation led to recommendations for several changes to the bylaw, including changing the requirement that an animal be under verbal or physical control while in public. That change would require physical control – in other words, a leash.

Another change would speed up the process for dealing with a dangerous dog by allowing the city to apply for an interim order rather than having to wait for a hearing to be scheduled.

If council approves the list of changes on Wednesday, the actual bylaw changes would still have to be drafted and voted on.

The report also carries a recommendation from the executive committee that the next phase of consultation include a focus on responsible pet ownership.

Central library renewal funding

Council will also get more information from city administration about the options for funding construction of the central library renewal project.

At the March 11 meeting, council members were told the city does not have enough debt room to fund both the library renewal and necessary infrastructure upgrades.

The latest report said the city could technically reconsider some previously approved wastewater projects, for which the debt has not yet been issued.

The library could also request a larger tax increase than the one already approved. It could also increase the debt limit, but the administration warned that there are other looming needs that are not currently funded.

The report also noted that the Regina Public Library is barred by provincial legislation from charging fees for borrowing books.

Transit fares to get final vote

The bylaw amendment that includes a 10 per cent transit fare hike will get third reading before council on Wednesday.

While the proposal has been controversial, there won’t be an opportunity for delegations to be heard at this meeting before the final vote. ]]> https://www.cjme.com/2026/03/25/humane-society-head-confident-regina-can-promote-responsible-pet-ownership/feed/ 0 https://www.cjme.com/2024/11/29/tips-to-keep-your-pets-safe-during-a-cold-saskatchewan-winter/ https://www.cjme.com/2024/11/29/tips-to-keep-your-pets-safe-during-a-cold-saskatchewan-winter/#respond Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:20:19 +0000 Daniel Reech 2024-11-29T14:22:08+00:00 https://d559.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=871638 “Watch for signs if you're out for a walk with your dog," advised Bill Thorn with the Regina Humane Society. (980 CJME file photo) With the harsh cold of winter hitting Saskatchewan, pet owners should take special to make sure their furry companions stay safe.

Bill Thorn, with the Regina Humane Society, said pet owners should employ common sense and pay attention to their pets’ behaviour when they’re outdoors for a walk.

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“If you’re feeling cold, chances are your pet’s going to be feeling cold too, despite that furry coat that they might have,” he said.

“Watch for signs if you’re out for a walk with your dog. You want to make sure you watch for things like lifting their paw off the ground because it’s cold, (or) shivering.”

Thorn said pets will sometimes try to guide their owners back indoors when they’re feeling cold.

“Sometimes they’ll want to start turning back home, and that can be an indication that they’re not as comfortable outside as they should be,” he said.

Thorn also said owners can shorten their walks with if the cold becomes too much for an animal, or they can simply go up and down their own street so they’re never too far away from home.

He said cats should be kept inside during the winter, as they don’t tolerate the cold very well. Thorn also said older dogs and younger puppies are also more sensitive to the cold.

Residents were out with snowblowers on Sunday as the cleanup in Regina began after 15 to 20 cm of snow fell in the city on Nov. 24, 2024. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

Watch out for water

If pet owners do go outside, Thorn said they should be mindful of bodies of water, especially early and late in the season when ice is most treacherous.

“We have a lot of residential lakes and creeks through our city. They may not be completely frozen yet, so make sure that you’re keeping your pets clear of those,” he said.

“Sometimes (those water bodies) could be moving water, too, and it never really freezes up the way it should to support their weight.”

Thorn also said pet owners shouldn’t leave animals unattended in cars when it’s cold out.

Regina Humane Society nearly at capacity

Thorn said humane society tends to see an uptick in the number of animals it takes in following the winter’s first real hit of cold weather.

“The ones that are coming in due to the cold tend to be more strays. People that might be surrendering their own pet aren’t really driven by the weather,” he said.

He noted that some might also be escaped pets.

Thorn said the Regina Humane Society had 137 cats in care and 41 dogs as of Wednesday.

While the number of animals humane society can accommodate is somewhat flexible, Thorn said the shelter was very near its limit until last week when they were able to transfer some dogs away.

The current number of animals is manageable, but Thorn said that can change in an instant, because the number of animals they take in isn’t always predictable.

Thorn said it’s much easier to transfer cats to other facilities than it is for dogs.

Dr. Zachary Johnson, the owner of the Melville Veterinary Clinic, said that the care was always there for rural communities, it’s just a lot harder to get.

“There weren’t as many veterinarians at the time when we took over, and so we’ve always been able to provide a mixed animal service where we were able to do companion animal and livestock care and meet clients where they’re at, and that’s a big thing for us.

“Each client is different and individual, and their needs are different and their situations different, and trying to accommodate that and take that into account is really a big thing for us,” said Johnson.

Terry Lerat is a councillor and farmer in Cowessess First Nation, and he said that having the clinic help them has done a lot for the community.

“For starters, it’s opening up a whole new avenue for taking control of their beloved pets. It gives our First Nation members a good understanding of what should be done to look after their household pets, and whether it’s neutering or vaccinating them, it’s something that was never really sort of thought about or discussed maybe on the First Nation,” said Lerat.

He said that having access to this resource has made the community healthier.

“It improves not only the animal’s quality of life but also the owner’s quality of life with the support we get through the Melville Vet Clinic or whichever one’s we bring in. No matter who you approach they’re more than willing to … give us a helping hand, and we sure appreciate them,” said Lerat.

The clinic was also recognized as the 2024 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Practice of the Year for their outstanding achievement within their community.

The Melville Veterinary Clinic is a full-service, American Animal Hospital Association accredited, rural mixed animal practice serving east central Saskatchewan. The owners, Zachary Johnson and Kylie Johnson purchased the  in 2016 and has a of five veterinarians, seven registered veterinary technologists, and four support staff.

Read more

The ‘five-second rule’ and other tips to keep pets safe from heat

VIDEO: Sherbrooke Community Centre home to adorable adoptables

But the Saskatchewan SPCA says it’s important to consider the temperature outside to ensure pets stay safe and healthy. With a heat wave currently bringing temperatures above 30 C to many parts of the province, the potential risks to animals will increase.

Josh Hourie with the Saskatchewan SPCA advised pet owners to walk their animals during the morning and evening hours, when temperatures are cooler.

Hourie explained that a pet owner can use the “five-second rule” to determine if the temperature outside is too hot for their pet by placing the back of their hand on the pavement.

“If you’re not able to hold your hand on the pavement for five seconds because it’s burning, that means it’s too hot for your pets’ paw pads as well,” he said.

Hourie said owners should be mindful of the signs of heatstroke in animals, which may include rapid panting, red or pale gums, thick and sticky saliva, glazed eyes and dizziness

In some extreme cases, Hourie said pets could also experience vomiting, diarrhea or collapsing. If that happens, he said the owner should seek medical care immediately.

In extreme heat or smoky conditions, Hourie said the best place for pets to be is indoors. If a situation feels uncomfortable for an owner, he said it’s likely uncomfortable for pets as well.

“It’s not worth the risk,” he said.

Hourie also advised owners to never leave pets in their cars, even if it’s a quick stop in the store with the car running.

“We would hate to see a situation where a car stalls out, the air conditioning is no longer running and your animal is essentially trapped in an oven,” he said.

Don Ferguson, chief animal protection officer and executive director for Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan, echoed that statement.

Ferguson said the most common heat-related calls the organization receives are about dogs left inside vehicles. He said even with the windows rolled down, a parked car can be unsafe for pets.

Last July, Ferguson said the organization responded to at least one call a day about dogs left in hot cars. He said police also respond to those incidents.

“It’s likely more than one a day, when you look at both the enforcement agencies involved,” he said.

Ferguson explained that when the organization receives such a call, responders make a reasonable attempt to locate the owner at places like businesses close to where the vehicle is parked. But if the owner cannot be located, the animal may be removed from the vehicle and given medical attention.

He said Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan also works with SGI to send out warning letters to registered owners who have reportedly left a pet in a hot vehicle.

Ferguson said the organization also regularly receives calls concerning shelter, and stressed the importance of animals having access to water and shade to escape extreme heat.

But as you journey further into the community, you’ll begin to hear the gentle melodies from live birds, a bark or two from family dogs visiting residents, and maybe, if you listen closely, the quiet mewing of foster kittens.

The beginnings of a partnership

Alison Fox is the manager of the therapy department at Sherbrooke Community Centre, and has been a foster mom herself for Saskatoon Street Cat Rescue.

“We are moving away from the medical model, and more towards creating all the things in a home that you would have in your home, such as pets and animals and plants and children,” Fox explained.

For about a year she had the idea in her brain.

“How could I make these two worlds collide?” she asked. “How could I create these two passions in one place?”

Listen to Alison Fox on Behind the Headlines:

Fox decided to bring together her love of helping animals and her joy from engaging with residents by introducing a foster cat program right inside the long-term care home.

At the entrance to Sherbrooke’s Veterans and Kinsmen Villages, there is a bright room full of windows, which was once a smoking room. This is the space where eligible foster kittens now live and play, entertaining residents and staff alike.

“I thought that would be a perfect place to foster kittens, cats, where our elders and residents — they can sit and watch in the antics and all the playing that could happen and all the joy that is created by watching animals,” laughed Fox, stepping into the glass room herself.

The first round of adorable adoptables joined Sherbrooke in 2019. Since then, there have been 48 foster cats and kittens that have earned the love and friendships from residents.

Adorable adoptables loved by all

Lorraine Sauve and Linda Miller are long-term residents at Sherbrooke. They’ve both been enjoying the feline antics from outside the glass room. They said watching the kittens is better than anything on TV.

“You’re sitting there watching them and they’re nice and quiet, and then all of a sudden, one goes flying through the room, pounces on another one,” recalls Miller, who has been a resident since February.

“Growing up I had two, and on my own I had one, but I’m allergic to cats,” admits Sauve, who still enjoys watching the kittens, even though she can’t pet them.

Sauve actually named the kittens after the five W’s – who, what, when, where, and why. Their names have transformed into Wholio, Whatson, Whendy, Whereverly and Whynona.

Beneficial cuddles and cutness

But fostering the kittens isn’t just about entertainment and company. Fox said there are therapeutic benefits, especially for those living with dementia.

“We see these opportunities to reminisce. So I have conversations with people the animals that they had growing up, if they lived on a farm or the pets that they had and the good stories and the bad stories, it’s this opportunity to connect with another person, and think about all the things that growing up they had,” she said.

With many residents confined to wheelchairs or with mobility issues, having cats, birds, and dogs within reach is an exposure to nature that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.

“It’s good for therapy. It cheers people up,” Miller said, while alongside the kitten room.

“The last home I was in, they didn’t really like animals there, so the Head of Recreation was the only person that had a couple of dogs. And they were nice dogs and I really liked them, but they were only accessible at a certain time.”

Plus, no one can deny the pure joy that comes from kittens playing with their toys, or chasing a feather on a string.

Foster homes desperately needed

Fox is hoping the exposure to cats from Saskatoon Street Cat Rescue will encourage more households to become foster families.

According to Fox, Saskatoon Street Cat Rescue has been able to help up to 700 cats in a year. But this year, the number is sitting at around 150 due to a lack of foster homes.

And while Sherbrooke only fosters two to three times a year, Fox said a partnership like the one between the community centre and Saskatoon Street Cat Rescue is one that other care homes can benefit from.

“We’d actually love to help other care homes maybe be a part of such a fostering opportunity. I think it is an untapped resource that has nothing but mutual benefits,” Fox said, hopeful that the idea will take off. ]]> https://www.cjme.com/2024/07/08/sherbrooke-community-centre-home-to-adorable-adoptables/feed/ 0 https://www.cjme.com/2024/04/19/regina-organization-donates-cat-food-cat-litter-to-pet-owners-in-need/ https://www.cjme.com/2024/04/19/regina-organization-donates-cat-food-cat-litter-to-pet-owners-in-need/#respond Fri, 19 Apr 2024 18:52:07 +0000 Giancarlo Cininni 2024-04-19T18:52:07+00:00 https://d559.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=832725 Sarah Ritchie, operations manager at Regina Cat Rescue, holds her cat Sassafras. The organization is a volunteer-run non-profit that helps abandoned cats and kittens and educates people about the humane treatment of pets. (Giancarlo Cininni/980 CJME) On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, dozens lined up in front of the mâmawêyatitân centre as volunteers handed out boxes of cat litter and food.

The event, dubbed “Keeping Felines with Families,” was organized by Regina Cat Rescue in partnership with the North Central Community Association, which provided the location, and funding from a grant provided by Humane Canada’s pet food bank program.

Scratching posts, litter boxes, blankets and toys received by donation were also handed out.

“It was amazing … We had so many people come out,” said Sarah Ritchie, operations manager at Regina Cat Rescue.

“In the half hour that we were cleaning up, we had several people come up and ask if we were still handing stuff out. We helped 405 cats.”

Sassafras rests on the oven at Regina Cat Rescue’s headquarters. The organization is a volunteer-run non-profit that helps abandoned cats and kittens and educates people about the humane treatment of pets. (Giancarlo Cininni/980 CJME)

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Struggles for pet ownership

Throughout Canada, the cost of keeping a pet has gone up. Multiple reports have noted a sharp rise in pet food prices. That means more pet owners need help if they want to keep their furry companions.

“North Central is really the area that we want to support due to that financial strain,” Ritchie said. “I can only just imagine how these people are feeling when they are unsure about how they are going to feed them and take care of them.”

Ritchie said many pet owners in Regina have to choose between housing they can afford and keeping their pets.

“Unfortunately the reality in this city is that they have to choose the former,” she said. “That means leaving their animals behind.”

Ritchie said there are thousands of stray and feral cats on Regina’s streets. She noted there’s an important difference between the two types of houseless felines.

“A stray cat is one that is left behind … or it just escaped and they never found their way back home,” Ritchie said. “A feral cat is one that grew up on the street.”

And the feral cats are proliferating. One mother can produce thousands of kittens in her lifetime.

“Our hopes are to eventually have the resources to be able to host spay and neuter clinics, as that will help decrease the number of cats we see on the street,” Ritchie said.

Regina Cat Rescue to the rescue

Regina Cat Rescue is a volunteer-run organization founded after People for Animals of Saskatchewan noticed there were a lot of stray cats in the city.

It’s like outreach support but for cats. Volunteers tend to feed stations for feral cat colonies and try to trap strays.

“The main people, they are the ones on the ground, (are) spending seven hours to trap a cat four, five days in a row,” Ritchie said.

Oftentimes volunteers will go into abandoned homes to rescue a cat. Ritchie said that type of work can be stressful.

“They see some stuff on the front line … you know, injuries (to cats that) were done by humans,” Ritchie said.

If rescued cats appear comfortable with humans, they’re put up for foster and adoption. Regina Cat Rescue regularly posts on Facebook and Instagram with orphaned cats available that people can take home.

The organization also takes in animals of people facing emergencies, including situations that might render an owner unable to take care of their pets anymore such as fleeing domestic violence, personal injury or death.

Ritchie said the organization is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Recruiting and retaining volunteers has been more difficult, and the demand for their services is increasing.

“The number of requests that we get are really high … I think I receive on average three requests, and that is the minimum per day,” Ritchie said. “Our social media team, we have stopped answering Facebook messages when it comes to intake.”

Still, Regina Cat Rescue remains ambitious. Ritchie said that now with things opened up, the organization hopes to acquire more volunteers, sponsorships and donors. With that, there could come more outreach events.

“I think it would be great if we can run them a couple of times a year,” she said. “The need for people with pets is so high.”

According to the non-profit, 40 dogs and puppies are currently waiting for adoption at the society’s new location.

The shelter said the unprecedented number of dogs in its care continues a trend seen in 2023, when it accepted 156 more dogs than previous years.

A number of factors could be contributing to the trend, the organization explained, including economic challenges, housing, and a drop in demand for dogs after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To encourage more adoptions, the shelter said it has dropped the fee to $25, a price which includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations, a tattoo, a microchip and a veterinary exam.

“These are beautiful, loving animals that are homeless through no fault of their own,” Lisa Koch, the humane society’s executive director, said in a statement.

“With a school break and the extra family time it offers on the horizon, now is a great time for families who have been considering adopting a dog.”

The humane society said all of its adoptable pets can be viewed on its website or at its new Animal Community Centre in Harbour Landing.

It was a regular day in mid-September when Tasha Bigras and her best friend left his acreage just outside of Stoughton, and the pair made the trip to Regina to do some shopping.

Bigras was shocked to find that her friend’s dog, Bear, was missing from the yard when they returned. The sweet and gentle dog did not have a history of leaving home on his own, so the two friends began their search.

A bit of investigating only turned up a set of tire tracks passing by the acreage, but no other signs of Bear could be found. It took months of posting online and hoping for somebody to spot him before a lead on Bear’s location finally came through.

“I put posts up in the lost and found pets pages for Estevan, Weyburn, and Saskatchewan. We were looking everywhere,” said Bigras. “We had heard absolutely nothing up until last Friday. That’s when we got a call from a vet in Toronto. She called us because someone had brought Bear in to get checked and he was microchipped, so they contacted us right away.”

It appeared as though this Toronto man had purchased Bear from a private seller and was doing his due diligence as a new pet owner by taking him to a vet for a checkup. While the exact events that brought Bear into his possession may never be known, the vet who discovered the microchip was not exactly surprised to find that this dog already had a home.

“Sadly, it seems very common,” said Bigras. “Usually it’s not this far out, though. Usually, the Toronto-area dogs that are brought in are supposedly from Ottawa and Montreal, not from two provinces over! We were absolutely stunned.”

With Bear located safe and sound, the difficult process of bringing him home began. Bigras said they brainstormed options since receiving the news.

They considered hiring a long-haul trucker to transport Bear and they did the math on making the drive themselves, but too many logistical hurdles led them to consider flying to Toronto and flying him home.

On Monday, Bigras posted an update on the GoFundMe page she created.

“I’m happy to say that as of a few minutes ago, everything has been set in place and Bear will be on his way home by tonight with a local farmer from where he is from,” the update read. “The funds raised (on the GoFundMe) will go towards compensating the fuel for the farmer, and a spa day for Bear, and the remaining will be donated to the SPCA.”

Bigras has been extremely thankful for the friendly and helpful pet-owner communities in southeast Saskatchewan, and all of the people who have reached out with their advice.

While chatting with other local dog owners online, one person shared their own story of how their dog went missing last summer as well. Thanks to their pet’s microchip, they received a call from a vet in Saskatoon and were reunited about a month ago. It’s an eerie coincidence.

With a plan in place to bring Bear home, Bigras hopes to soon put this crazy experience behind her.

“Pets are family,” she said. “They look after you as much as you look after them. I’m just doing what I can to get our baby back home.”

Although Bear’s story may soon end on a positive note, his is a cautionary tale. Pet owners should remain vigilant and ensure that their dogs have a working microchip with accurate contact information in case they go missing.

On Feb. 5, the humane society will open the new Animal Community Centre at 4900 Parliament Ave., in the Harbour Landing neighbourhood. The RHS’s current location at 79 Armour Rd. in the city’s north end will be permanently closed.

The humane society has been operating in that latter facility for 60 years.

To prepare for the move, the RHS is shifting to what it called “modified operations” from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4.

In a release, the humane society said it would “continue to address priority animal welfare, public health and safety calls during this time.” However, for emergencies or to reclaim impounded animals, people should call Animal Protection Services at 306-777-7700.

“The Society requests that the public does not attend either its Armour Road or the Animal Community Centre locations in person during this time without first contacting Animal Protection Services by phone,” the release said.

As well, the RHS has reduced adoption fees for dogs to $25 to address the high number of dogs in its care leading up to the move.

The new facility will include an adoption gallery for dogs and cats, an education centre with multi-purpose classrooms for public use, a veterinary hospital supporting RHS animals as well as the continued delivery of spay/neuter services to financially disadvantaged pet owners, pet cremations, a dog park, a dog-washing station, a training centre and a gift shop.

The facility cost $28 million, with the humane society raising $15 million of that amount.

The humane society received numerous gifts during its fundraising campaign, including $1 million from the Lothian family, $1.1 million from Gerda Fiesel and $500,000 from Dream Developments.

Construction on the facility began in May of 2022.

Jemma Omidian, manager of animal care and community engagement at the Saskatoon SPCA, said it’s important to know your pets’ comfort levels while being outside.

“Every dog is different, just like every person is different,” she said.

If you notice your pet lifting their feet, shivering, or curled up in a corner, it’s time to bring them inside.

In extreme temperatures, Omidian advises dog owners to limit time outside as much as possible and spend around five minutes for a bathroom break.

Limited time outdoors means that pets will be cooped up at home, but Omidian said there are ways to entertain them and help them burn off energy.

One-on-one training and introducing new tricks are some of those methods.

“If your dog doesn’t know roll-over, maybe that’s something you could teach them this week,” Omidan said.

Puzzle feeders and lick mats are also effective ways to stimulate your pet’s brain.

Most cats have a lower tolerance to the cold because of their small size, so it’s best to keep them inside during cold temperatures.

As for the stray cats outside, Omidian said it’s important to make noise and bang the hood of your vehicle before starting it.

“Cats will get into the hood, they’ll be looking for a warm space to curl up,” she said, adding that accidents with cats getting into the engine happen more when temperatures drop.

Omidian also advises pet owners to keep an eye out when temperatures warm up to wipe the salt off of pets’ feet and stomachs.

“Salt will burn their skin, so when you’re out for a walk, try to avoid the salty areas,” she said, noting that owners should also be wary of antifreeze as it is poisonous.

“It does taste sweet, so dogs will be attracted to it,” she said.