A photo taken of two recently displaced dogs. (Submitted/ Paws Here)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community support

Local kennels open doors for displaced pets

May 18, 2021 | 2:00 PM

As dozens of homeowners sort out where they will be staying in the coming days, after evacuating from the fire northeast of the city, local kennels are offering free boarding for displaced dogs and cats.

Amy Wilkinson owns Paws Here K-9 Services west of Prince Albert, and took in four dogs on Monday.

“It’s a really fluid situation because people don’t know when they can go back home and there are other people, kind of waiting on the outskirts that aren’t sure if they are going to have to evacuate yet,” she said.

Wilkinson is no stranger to wildfire response. A few years ago a big fire in the Crutwell area was literally in her backyard, and she also provided boarding services when there was a fire at La Ronge and evacuees were sent to Prince Albert.

“For some dogs they do better with their owners, and other dogs are a little more adaptable,” she explained.

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As more and more people have been coming to the city for gas and groceries, more dogs are being temporarily dropped off. (Submitted)

Vanessa Durand is a trainer at Arsenal K-9 south of Prince Albert. They took in 10 dogs Monday night.

“We were supposed to get four cats too but they didn’t show so I’m a little worried but I hope they are okay,” she said.

Durand encouraged anyone with questions, to call, adding they are just happy to be helping people.

“In this kind of situation the last things you want to be worrying about is where am I going to put my dogs or where am I going to put my cats,” Durand said.

As of Tuesday at noon, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency could not offer a firm timeline for when evacuees may be allowed to return home. They explained it would depend on a number of factors including fire activity. A total of 29 people have checked in at a local hotel.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell