Pemberton’s animal shelter has started a fundraising page to raise $20,000 for two new dog enclosures. The Pemberton Animal Wellbeing Society‘s (PAWS) Raise the Roof campaign aims to double the shelter’s capacity and improve the lives of pets in its care.
Flooding in January destroyed PAWS’ facilities on Airport Road. Six dogs’ lives were held in the balance when floodwaters continued to rise. Five months later, volunteers are still working tirelessly to improve the standard of their service. They were forced to retire one of the enclosures after the floods, as it was no longer fit for purpose.
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has already allocated $5,000 to PAWS for the construction of two new outdoor dog enclosures at its facility in Pemberton.
On the Raise the Roof fundraising page, the shelter explained Pemberton is facing an overwhelming number of surrender requests. Current facilities limit the ability to provide refuge for animals in need, particularly during extreme weather. The new planned units will be built to withstand anything Mother Nature throws at them.
“These state-of-the-art units are designed with the well-being of our canine friends in mind, featuring heated indoor spaces for comfort during the cold months, and fully covered outdoor areas to protect them from the harsh elements,” reads the GoFundMe page. “This expansion is not just about shelter; it’s about creating a nurturing environment where our animals can thrive while they await their forever homes. This project is a step towards addressing this dire situation, allowing us to extend our help to more animals, regardless of the weather challenges Pemberton faces.”
