Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, humane society team up to promote pet adoption
Dog Days of Summer features pets at Thunder Bay and District Humane Society
There are more dogs waiting for a spot in the local humane society than the organization can handle, but it's hoped a new partnership with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation will help ease the numbers.
The foundation, which raises millions of dollars for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre through its 50/50 draws, will be promoting pets for adoption through its Dog Days of Summer campaign.
In the past, 50/50 players have submitted photos of their pets to be featured on the hospital foundation's web page and social media channels. This time, the spotlight will be on the humane society's tenants.
"I think the first year, we [had] just under 2,000 submissions," said Glenn Craig, the foundation's president and CEO. "We totally underestimated how [much] people love their pets.
"This is a way of not only highlighting our own fur babies but trying to find somebody else a new fur baby."
The inspiration for the project came from American comedian Stephen Colbert, whose The Late Show regularly features dogs available for adoption, Craig said.
"It's just a great idea, great opportunity for us to be able to showcase our animals on a bigger and different platform," said Shawna Beaulieu, executive director of the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society.
While there's a steady flow of people taking in puppies and kittens, Beaulieu said, finding foster and forever homes for adult dogs is an ongoing challenge.
"It's a little bit of a bigger ask, so it can be challenging to find people that have the capacity to foster a dog," she said.
"They're sticking around the shelter way too long, so to give them that break, being in a family environment, have some enrichment with people every day."
For those who aren't in a position to adopt a dog, Beaulieu said, fostering is a great alternative.
"We provide all of the supplies, all of the support that you'll need, and we also have our progressive program, which is that we're looking for fosters that will take in a dog and go to training with them," she said.
"It's a lot of fun and a great way to be able to spend time with a dog, going out and doing something."
The humane society is in need of donations of adult dog food, treats and chew toys, Beaulieu added.
The grand prize for the foundation's August 50/50 draw was more than $1.3 million at publication time. While draws occur every weekday, the grand prize draw is scheduled for Aug. 29.
"Every month has been increased over last year. People continue to be excited by it. We have some huge announcements we're going to be making this fall," Craig said.
"There's going to be literally millions of dollars being put back into our community, our region's health care."
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