NEWS RELEASE
SOCIETY FOR ANIMALS IN DISTRESS
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The Society for Animals in Distress is continuing the process of assessing our building and property with regard to recent building structure issues.
We have initiated a claim with our insurer and expect that their structural engineer will be evaluating the building in the very near future, however, at this time, we do not have a definitive date. In the meantime, the Board of Directors and staff continue to meet to formulate plans and strategies in order to maintain operations.
Currently, our main consideration is to restore our canine daycare, which is a large portion of our revenue as well as a much needed service for our community. Some options have been discussed with the City, however, to date we have received nothing definitive or concrete. Some viable options have been proposed as we anxiously await the City’s response.
In regard to the current building condition; the Board of Directors has been actively and continuously monitoring the building and facilities for many years, however, as with most old buildings at the end of their life cycle in Elliot Lake, we are finding that it may not be feasible to remediate the current structures in spite of the ongoing maintenance that had been done over the years.
The issue we are facing with respect to our shelter was unfortunately very sudden and unpredictable.
The Board has viewed and discussed other property and facility options over the years but none thus far have met the standards or criteria required for outdoor canine care areas. Those that may have had some potential have been out of our financial capabilities.
As with any non-profit charity, we do not have a great nest egg – our budgets and operating funds are met with our daily operations, not leaving much for legacy. That said, we are looking toward fundraising ventures including, but not restricted to, crowd funding, ATV run, Christmas pet stockings and photos, an art auction, fishing derby and various sales and promotions at the Sunshine Shop, our second hand store.
We thank the City of Elliot Lake for use of their pound facility. This enables us to continue to help the animals at large, but its limited physical capacity results in restrictions in the overall number of animals we can help at this time.
We further wish to acknowledge our tremendous staff who have spent many hours cleaning the pound and installing some of our equipment to better enhance animal care there.
The Board also expresses our thanks to Dr. Wannan and his staff, our amazing business manager, shelter coordinator, animal care attendants and volunteers, our foster families, foster fails families and those who adopted pets to give them the forever homes they deserve.
We cannot express our thanks enough for the kindness and generosity of our community and will continue to give updates as information changes.
We are committed to you and your pets.
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