2024-01-24

Have a heart fundraiser now underway

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter's annual Have a Heart fundraiser is underway; it is our first fundraiser of 2024 and runs from Jan. 17 to Feb. 14.

Jan. 17 was beloved actress and animal lover Betty White's birthday; you may remember when she passed away at the end of 2020, there was a huge celebration of life where people made donations to animal shelters across the nation in her honour. It was such a beautiful and meaningful way to remember her.

Our friends at Bridgewater ShurGain Feeds n' Needs, Giant Tiger, Sobeys, and Chester Pet Valu have joined forces with us to promote this fundraiser at their locations, along with our little shelter. All you have to do is make a donation in the box and you'll receive a foam heart to write your name, your pet's name, a memorial message, draw a picture, or whatever you want! The hearts will be displayed onsite right up to Valentine's Day Feb. 14.

All the funds raised from Have a Heart go to our medical care funds to help prepare our shelter animals for adoption into their forever homes. Medical costs in 2023 totaled over $115,000 for the 492 cats and 32 dogs we took in last year, and we expect this year to be much of the same. Along with ensuring all pets are spayed or neutered, we also see many pets needing dental care, specialized eye care, and a host of other sicknesses and injuries upon arrival to the shelter.

Thank you to all who can participate in this year's Have a Heart fundraiser to help homeless and abandoned animals find their forever homes.