The City of Dauphin and surrounding areas seem to have an overpopulation of cats on their hands.
Kelsey Bates, Shelter manager at the Parkland Humane Society, spoke with CKDM about a desperate need for adoptions, foster animal parents and donations.
Bates admits it's overwhelming and disheartening the number of calls they field.
"The amount of cat calls we get is just insane," said Bates. "I'd say for every one cat that gets adopted. We have five waiting to come in."
The overpopulation of felines in the area has caused the Humane Society to start shipping some of their cats away to British Columbia.
"We're not the only rescue that ships to BC, and we do work with a few different transporters who dedicate their hearts and souls to these animals," said Bates. "They take in cats from all over the province. They do these trips about once a month."
Kelsey spoke about the difference between the two provinces when it comes to cats.
"They're fighting for cats there, people spend up to $500 for your average cat, and there's just not nearly as many cats in BC as there is here," she said.
In BC, cats from Manitoba shelters almost instantly get adopted. While back at the Parkland Humane Society, Kelsey says they have had cats stay at their shelter for three or four years at a time.
Vet prices and trips to BC add up to a hefty bill for the Humane Society. However, Bates says there is no real other option with the overpopulation.
"We're looking for donations to cover some of these costs, it is adding up very quickly, but it is our only resource to send them there right now."
Lastly, Kelsey added that she wanted to shout out to everyone who volunteers or donates time at the humane society.
"You don't understand really how much it all adds up, and we do a lot of great work here."
