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SPCA shelter at max capacity during cold snap

While recent cold weather has not been kind to animals, the Flin Flon/Creighton and Area SPCA is currently unable to fit any more stray animals at their Flin Flon shelter.
SPCA

While recent cold weather has not been kind to animals, the Flin Flon/Creighton and Area SPCA is currently unable to fit any more stray animals at their Flin Flon shelter.

No calls have come in to the SPCA regarding stray dogs and cats, and for good reason. The shelter is currently at maximum capacity.

“We have 20 dogs in our shelter and only 12 kennels. We are beyond full and we can’t even take in any more right now,” said Gail Neufeld, the organization’s shelter manager.

The shelter was also full last year. After a short time with open spaces, two incoming mother dogs filled the shelter up again with large litters.

“With one dog, she was pregnant and she gave birth to six babies. Then, we had another mom who we didn’t know was pregnant and she gave birth to seven. That brings our total rate right back up,” said Neufeld.

If people see a stray dog, cat or other pet outside in the cold unattended, they are advised to call the area animal control officer, an animal protection hotline based out of Winnipeg or the RCMP.

For pet owners struggling to deal with the cold, Neufeld advises them to keep the animals inside and occupied for as long as possible, only taking them outside for short periods of time.

“You’ve just got to limit their time (outside). With my own dog, in this weather, she wears a jacket and boots when she goes out. She only goes outside to do her business and that’s it. You’ve really got to limit the time they spend outside and not keep your dogs tied up all the time outside,” said Neufeld.

“You’ve got to play with them inside, too. You just have to keep them active. I play with my dog inside all the time. That way, she doesn’t go completely crazy being inside most of the day, but we just have to keep them busy.”

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