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Winnipeg, Manitoba – June 3, 2025 – As wildfires continue to ravage Manitoba, a powerful display of unity and compassion has emerged across Canada, with communities, organizations, and individuals joining forces to protect animals caught in the devastating disaster. The coordinated response highlights the critical role pets play in Canadian families and underscores the need for integrating animal welfare into broader emergency planning.
In a significant step forward, the Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS), with the crucial support of Humane Canada and the Canadian Red Cross, today inaugurated a pop-up emergency shelter dedicated to providing evacuees with essential care and support for their beloved animals during this crisis.
The newly established shelter is equipped to accommodate up to 60 animals in immediate need of refuge. It offers a range of vital services, including basic veterinary care, secure housing, nutritious food, and designated spaces for enrichment and exercise. Recognizing the importance of maintaining the bond between pets and their families, particularly during such stressful circumstances, the shelter welcomes families to visit their animals during specified hours.
“Communities are stronger when we work together, and we know how much pets mean to their families,” stated Christina Von Schindler, CEO of the Winnipeg Humane Society. “These shelters ensure that displaced families can focus on their own safety with the comfort of knowing their beloved animals are cared for.”
The initiative underscores a profound understanding of the emotional support animals provide and acknowledges the fact that many individuals are unwilling to evacuate without knowing their pets are safe. By providing a secure and supportive environment for animals, the pop-up shelter aims to alleviate the stress and anxiety experienced by both pets and their owners during this challenging time.
On a national level, Humane Canada, the federation of Humane Societies and SPCAs across the country, is playing a pivotal role in coordinating the distribution of much-needed supplies and support to affected areas. The organization is also developing a collaborative, comprehensive emergency response strategy that explicitly includes pets as integral members of family units.
“More than sixty percent of Canadian households have companion animals, and 71% of those owners consider them family,” emphasized Barbara Cartwright, CEO of Humane Canada. “In an emergency, it’s never people or their animals—it’s people with their animals. Yet, too often, pets are overlooked in disaster planning, putting both the animals and their families at risk.”
Cartwright further stressed the importance of proactive planning and resource allocation to ensure the safety and well-being of animals during emergencies. This includes developing evacuation plans that accommodate pets, establishing temporary shelters with veterinary services, and providing essential supplies like food, water, and medications.
While the opening of the pop-up shelter and the coordinated efforts of organizations like the WHS and Humane Canada represent a significant step forward in animal welfare during disasters, a sobering concern remains for those animals left behind amidst the chaos of evacuations. With more than 180 active fires burning across the nation, the demand for resources and support continues to grow exponentially.
Humane Canada has reiterated the urgent need for increased funding and volunteer support to meet the escalating demands of the crisis. The organization is actively seeking donations of supplies, financial contributions, and volunteer assistance to ensure that all animals affected by the wildfires receive the care and protection they desperately need.
The situation in Manitoba serves as a stark reminder of the importance of incorporating animal welfare into comprehensive disaster preparedness plans. As climate change continues to exacerbate the risk of wildfires and other natural disasters, a coordinated and proactive approach to animal protection is more critical than ever. The collaborative efforts witnessed in Manitoba offer a beacon of hope and a valuable model for future emergency responses, emphasizing the profound connection between humans and animals and the importance of protecting all members of the community during times of crisis.
For more information on how to support or access resources for the Manitoba wildfires through Winnipeg Humane Society, visit: https://winnipeghumanesociety.ca/
My thoughts are with all
Our thoughts and prayers to all the people and pets being affected by these fires.