The Okanagan Humane Society is inundated with animals in need. OHS has seen a sharp increase in animal intake this year and the numbers don’t seem to be slowing down. “The number of animals in need this year is at an all-time high,” says board chair Romany Runnalls. “This includes calls from owners needing support and resources, animals needing emergency medical care and thousands of animals being born on the streets of our urban centers. The cat and feline population is literally exploding in the vast rural area of (the) Okanagan/Armstrong/Shuswap . “We had our first wave of kitten season and now it looks like we’re in for another bigger one than the first. Pregnant moms and newborn kittens who need medical support and nurturing until they can be adopted into a new home.” OHS says many of the animals have been lost, abandoned or neglected and are struggling to survive on the streets. “We have a very efficient and agile system that allows us to work with the community, our local veterinary partners and a range of specialist contractors to give these animals the second chance they deserve,” says Runnalls. The society does not have a shelter and is volunteer-run, so the lion’s share of all donations go directly to animal care. The society’s mandate began with spay and neuter services with a plan to help control the pet population. So far, the charity has spayed or neutered more than 24,000 animals and rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed more than 1,300 animals last year. OHS serves the Okanagan-Shuswap and relies on community support, receiving no state or municipal funding. “Our need has increased significantly this year and we hope the community will come together to support local animals in need,” says Runnalls.
