Humane Society gets sizeable Community Initiatives Program grant

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

MLA Evan Berger, PCHS VP Jason Wagenaar, PCHS Pres. Clara Yagos,
PCHS Sec. Bev Duffield, PCHS Co-ordinator Shannon Moody
C. Davis photo

     Livingstone-Macleod MLA Evan Berger presented the Pincher Creek Humane Society (PCHS) with a cheque today, September 21.  PCHS was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Government of Alberta's Community Initiatives Program (CIP).  The funds will be used to help run the operation, and are to be spread over a two-year period.  "This will help our sustainability over the next couple of years," said PCHS President Clara Yagos.  "It will enable us to concentrate on capital grants for our new building," she further explained.  The PCHS plans to tear down their present structure and build fresh, incorporating a plot of land to the east of their present property on Kettles Street, which is currently being used for public composting.


PCHS has a building reserve fund. According to the PCHS, donations specifically submitted for the new building will be placed into this fund, and will be used for this purpose only. They also have a General Donation fund, and are looking for financial help to spay and neuter the animals in their care prior to adoption. "Every animal that goes out from here is spayed or neutered," said Yagos, "except for those that are too young."  She explained that the young ones come with paperwork and encouragement to come back and have them spayed or neutered when they are old enough.
Yagos wanted to extend thanks to Faith and Charlie Zachar and Zoe Wagenaar at the Pincher Creek Veterinary Clinic for their help with medical issues, shots, and similar issues.  Petsmart in Lethbridge also plays a critical role, who partner with PCHS, taking cats to Lethbridge so they can find "forever homes" in a larger market.  According to Yagos, Petsmart requires potential adopters to go through the same application process that is in place at PCHS.

The Pincher Creek Humane Society/SPCA is restructuring, and would to involve the public in the process, email pchs@toughcountry.net with your imput.

To contribute to PCHS online via paypal, or to investigate their adoptable animals, or to find out more about the organization, visit www.pinchercreekhumanesociety.org
Phone:  403-627-5191

PCHS/SPCA is located at 1068 Kettles Street, Pincher Creek, in the eastern industrial district.