Humane Society Partnering With Local Businesses

With COVID - 19 pandemic restricting opportunities for non-profits to raise funds the Moose Jaw Humane Society (MJHS) has not been left untouched.

To help raise needed funds to help care for the animals the Humane Society has been partnering with local businesses in a win - win partnership where both the animals and businesses benefit.

“Obviously as a non-profit every dollar we raise helps out the animals,” Dana Haukaas executive director of the MJHS told MJ Independent. “We are part of the community we want to partnership with.”

Under the program - initiated this past January - businesses have provided much needed financial support to the MJHS who in turn use their sizeable social media following to help promote their business partners.

“It is kind of like us giving back to the community we are part of,” Haukaas said, adding “we have a great Facebook and Instagram following which we can use to hopefully give them (community business supporters) support as well.”

She said the MJHS has featured this type of win-win partnerships since a new fundraising coordinator was hired this past January and COVID - 19 took away many of their means to generate donations.

“In the past we had signs at the shelter for $250 a year but with the shelter closed (for many visitors) we cannot depend on that to raise funds, so we went to partnerships. It is one thing our new fundraising coordinator has been promoting.”

Funds raised through the partnerships have gone mostly to pay for veterinarian bills which can range from spay and neuterings, shots and as in a recent case an amputation of a dog’s leg that set the MJHS back $1,000.

Vet bills are expensive but something Haukaas said is needed at times.

“If we think it needs a vet that is where it goes.”

“It is something we have to do until the world gets rolling again, its a good organization and cause to support,” Terry Ferguson owner of Moose Jaw Collision Centre said. “They are always looking for help.”

Ferguson, who is well known as a member of the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club and helped raise funds for many projects in the community, said choosing to partner with the MJHS was not a hard decision to make.

“They are a good organization, doing good things within the community so we decided to partner with them.”

Moose Jaw Collision Centre is one of the business faces to partner with the Moose Jaw Humane Society - submitted photo

Moose Jaw Collision has taken the approach to give back based upon work that comes through the shop.

Customers can drop off their claim or call Moose Jaw Collision at 306-693-DENT (3368) to set up an appointment and mention that they saw the partnership with the MJHS resulting in a much needed $25 donation.

Ferguson says although he only has an indoor cat that his girlfriend actually owns that animals have played a role in his life. He likes animals.

Pets were something he said his children enjoyed when growing up but as they turned into teenagers and the pets were aging Ferguson said he had a long chat with his children about pets and the responsibility that they entails.

“Its a lot of work and responsibility to have a pet…I have always enjoyed animals but I understand the responsibilities with them. You have to respect pets and also understand their needs.”

He said although the partnership will hopefully help to drive business for his firm as we exit out of the COVID - 19 pandemic he hopes it helps the Humane Society get through not only the pandemic, but also what he hopes does not occur an abandonment of pets acquired during the pandemic for companionship while unemployed or working from home.

Haukaas for her part is very happy with the support from the growing list of partnerships the MJHS has been able to forge with the community. Partnerships that help provide the MJHS with funds as their services continue to be needed at a constant or ever growing rate.

Other businesses partnering with the MJHS are companies like Mitsu Sweet Cafe and Sushi who are donating $2 from every 2021 roll sold today to the Moose Jaw Humane Society.

The Next Gen Car Club is another local MJHS partner who are putting on a car show this coming weekend to help out the Humane Society.

A donation will be asked from those who are entering any of the competitions. The monies raised will go directly to help out animals in the Humane Society’s care.

At the present time the addition of three mother cats with kittens over a couple of days has added 20 more cats into the Humane Society’s care.

A need that never seems to end.

As of Monday the Humane Society was looking after 51 cats and seven dogs.

For more information and to view other local partnerships check out the Moose Jaw Humane Society Facebook page or give them a call at (306) 692-1517..

As of yesterday the Moose Jaw Humane Society had 51 cats an seven dogs in their care.