As we cap off National Pet Month, myFM is shining a spotlight on the people, organizations, and businesses helping care for the furry friends that make our community special with our week-long ‘Animal House’ Feature.
For the team at City of St. Thomas Animal Services, no two days are ever the same. From responding to stray animal calls and reuniting lost pets with their owners to caring for animals awaiting adoption, staff work around the clock to support both pets and residents throughout the city and surrounding communities.
Animal Shelter Coordinator Laura Keates says each day starts with caring for the animals currently in the shelter, including feeding, cleaning, administering medication, and ensuring every animal is comfortable and healthy. At the same time, staff are also answering calls, helping residents, and responding to animal-related emergencies throughout the community.
“If there’s a dog running loose, we’ll go catch it,” Keates explained. “If someone’s missing their pet and we have it, we help reunite them. And if someone is looking to adopt, we help connect them with the right animal.”
The shelter also places a major focus on successful adoptions, ensuring families and pets are the right fit before animals go home. Keates says meet-and-greets with existing pets are an important part of the process to help avoid stress and ensure long-term success.
In addition to serving St. Thomas, Animal Services also works alongside Central Elgin and Southwold to help care for and house stray dogs found throughout the region.
Keates says one of the biggest changes on the horizon is the department’s highly anticipated new Animal Services building near the Doug Tarry Sports Complex, expected to open in the coming weeks.
The upgraded facility will feature safer and more modern animal housing, indoor-outdoor dog runs, an expanded adoption space, and improved efficiency for staff and volunteers.
“We’re going to be able to house more animals and get them adopted quicker,” she said. “Everything is going to improve.”
To learn more about City of St. Thomas Animal Services, listen to our interview with Laura Keates below…
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
