Tails To Tell Animal Rescue Shelter Ltd, like many non-profit organizations, has gone above and beyond to keep rolling smoothly as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to leave its mark on the economy. But operating an animal shelter in the midst of a global pandemic is no easy task.
“We really had to cut down on volunteers because we are in a tight area,” said Colleen Holden, a board of directors member for the non-profit society. “We have had to curtail volunteers. Also, many volunteers are vulnerable, so they stopped coming in.”
Before COVID-19 arrived, the Crossfield-based feline rescue shelter would have four to five volunteers in every morning to help clean everything for the cats, as well as set up the facility for the rest of the day. Holden said it’s a big job that requires multiple people, but since the pandemic began, Tails to Tell has only been able to operate with two to three volunteers.
Currently, Tails To Tell is housing 38 cats. Holden said while this number is lower than usual, having fewer volunteers has made operations more difficult.
“Two people can’t clean that entire shelter,” she said.
In addition, Holden said the shelter is in need of a new space, thanks to rising demand for the charity’s services. Currently, Tails To Tell operates in a 2,100 square-foot property in downtown Crossfield. Holden said to operate comfortably, the shelter would need to upgrade to a 3,500 to 4,000 square-foot facility.
While the shelter continues to receive donations from loyal donors, Holden said the 100 percent volunteer-based shelter has had to cancel many of its pre-planned fundraising events.
“We were going to host a Jail and Bail event, but then the pandemic hit, and we have not been able to do it,” she said. “We usually have a Fall craft sale, but we lost out on that as well. That event usually brings in $5,000 to $8,000.”
But even as the shelter cancels some of the fundraisers it would typically hold, members are finding other ways to raise money. According to Holden, one volunteer even published a cookbook which features stories about the cats in the shelter’s care. The book costs $25 and proceeds from its sale support the organization.
Tails To Tell is also trying to raise enough money to hire an administrative worker to take the load off owner Edna Jackson, who is now 72 years old.
“Instead of being there 12 hours a day, this would help her have some more free time,” Holden said. “We just can’t afford to hire anyone right now.”
For more information on how to help Tails to Tell, visit its Facebook Page.
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
