This female German Shepard dog named Maya is one of the adoptable animals Bandaged Paws has right now. Photo from the Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association Facebook page.

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Bandaged Paws, City Hall looking at a new arrangement for animal adoptions

Jul 19, 2020 | 5:30 AM

Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue says it wants to take over all pet adoption services and look after all cases when owners give up their pets.

The proposal, which Bandaged Paws presented to City Council at its meeting last Monday, would see the pound – operated by the City and County – be responsible for animal control.

Bandaged Paws Executive Director Natasha Arsenault says this is something the pound would also like to see.

“We talk almost on a daily (basis), so it is just something that they were working towards, getting back that sort of relationship with there not being an SPCA for the last four years, they (the pound) stepped in to help the community and they are just wanting to step back from that. (It’s) not their forte. They just want to do animal control.”

City Council referred this to the committee level for more discussion.

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Arsenault says they have been very busy this year. They took in 903 animals all of last year and, as of a week ago, were at 535 for this year.

“We’ve seen a lot of owner surrenders over the last few months that have been related to people moving out of Grande Prairie, due to job loss and for financial reasons, moving back home or anything like that.”

Arsenault says this time of year is also kitten season, with it being busy from April to August, maybe even as late as October.

She says the pandemic has made it what she terms an “interesting situation to try to be fund-raising in when everybody’s hurting for money and our vet. bills are still here. So, (we’re) trying to find a good balance between the number of animals we can take in and, financially, be able to be secure as well.”

Arsenault is hoping to have a future conservation with the city on what any new agreement would look like. She adds the sooner something can be worked out, the better.

“We had to lay off a bunch staff when the pandemic hit. We need a game plan to bring back staff if we’re going to be taking on all of their animals from the pound. The sooner the better because there are a lot of animals in need.”

Arsenault says Bandaged Paws went from nine staff to four with those layoffs. She says having the federal wage subsidy means they can look at being able to “bring back a few staff to help get us up to date on everything.” She says they should be able to bring back staff in the next month or so.

Arsenault adds they understand people are extra busy now and are hoping for another meeting with city officials whenever one can be arranged.