Humane Society Yukon

Mae Bachur FACTS:

2011-06-21T12:14:00.001-07:00

Did you know…Mae Bachur Animal Shelter uses 6, 5.38lt bottles of bleach everyday to keep the shelter clean and safe from viruses? It takes a lot more than bleach to keep the building in good repair and the animals safe and happy on a daily basis. This summer help the Humane Society with their various administrative and animal needs. Visit www.humanesocietyyukon.ca to see a list of what they are looking for or call 633-6019 for more information.

Special Fundraisers...

2011-06-20T15:29:00.001-07:00

Did you know…On average, there is one child every week who brings in donations that they requested of their friends instead of gifts for their birthday? Doesn’t it just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? The warm and fuzzy animals at Mae Bachur thank the young fundraisers of Whitehorse!

Permanent home needed for a very special dog

2011-06-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

Trevor is a playful, rambunctious Shepherd-cross who requires ongoing positive guidance, support and training as he learns to respond appropriately to new and anxiety-producing situations.
Trevor gets along well with most other dogs, and he has been well socialized with many dogs of various sizes. He is excitable around cats and would do best in a cat-free home.
Could this be you?
Are you comfortable using positive, gentle training methods and working with large breed dogs?
Do you have a kind heart, plenty of patience, a calm home, and a desire to bring out the best in animals which have had a terrible start in life?
Are you willing to approach your local authority (such as a local Bylaw office, Local Advisory Council, or municipal council) to obtain their consent to have Trevor living with you? (This is a court requirement, if Trevor is to live outside Whitehorse.)
Are you willing and able to take whatever safety precautions the Court and your local authorities require, such as the use of a leash and muzzle whenever you have Trevor out in public?
If you can answer Yes to all of the above, then we need you… Trevor needs you!
Trevor’s special circumstances
Trevor had a rough start in life. He spent his early years on a chain, and his collar was embedded in his neck by the time he was rescued by a Whitehorse Bylaw officer early in 2009. He received veterinary care, then was transferred to the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter (Humane Society Yukon) in Whitehorse, where he lived for a few months before he found an adoptive home. Unfortunately, that adoptive home did not work out. The adoptive owner gave Trevor away to a family member who would not have been able to meet the Humane Society’s adoption requirements. In the summer of 2009, this new caregiver surrendered Trevor to the City Pound after Trevor bit his landlord on the elbow.
Trevor was slated for euthanasia at the City Pound, until a Whitehorse resident obtained a Court injunction and asked that Trevor be returned to Humane Society Yukon. Trevor’s case quickly gained national and international attention, as Trevor became a ‘poster boy’ for compassionate animal care.
The Judge ruled that the Humane Society was indeed Trevor’s legal owner, as the adoptive owner had breached her contract by giving Trevor away. The Judge ordered the City to return Trevor to the Humane Society, and the City and the Humane Society were tasked with finding a qualified assessor to examine Trevor’s behaviour and see if he could be rehabilitated.
Trevor’s assessor, Dr. Shelley Breadner from Saanichton, BC, determined that Trevor would do well in the right home, but he has lifelong anxiety issues that will need to be carefully managed, as he will remain a bite risk if exposed to anxiety-inducing circumstances. Trevor’s main worry seems to be a direct approach by strangers, particularly if they reach for his head. For this reason, Trevor is required to wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash when he is out in public.
Late in 2010, after more than a year of court proceedings, and extensive training and socialization for Trevor, the Humane Society was finally granted full custody of Trevor, and as much time as we need to find him a suitable home. In the meantime, he continues to live at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter, and he spends a good part of each day in the company of the people he has bonded with over the course of this ordeal. Every day, we hope we are a step closer to finding Trevor his forever home.
For more information, please contact Humane Society Yukon via the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter, 126 Tlingit Street, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A6J2. (867)633-6019. shelteradmin@northwestel.net.

Christmas in July at Mae Bachur Animal Shelter

2011-06-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Mae Bachur Animal Shelter has begun a summer fundraising Drive to raise $40,000 for the repair and maintenance of the Shelter facility, and we need your help!

We've named this event "Christmas in July" because we have an oversized stocking at the shelter that we would like to fill with gifts and dontations leading up to July 25th.

There are several items we need regularly, sometimes on a daily and sometimes weekly basis. In additi...on to this, we need items to help with the administration and maintenance of the building, afterall, we need the building in good working order and the people running it so that our residents can have a safe and efficient place to be adopted from!

So pick 1 item or 10 , and we will gladly accept your donation and provide you with a tax receipt should you require one.

Kennel Sponsorships are available for our 18 indoor dog and 17 cat kennels as well as the larger outdoor kennels. Sponsorships come with a plaque attached to the kennel, thanking you for your support and allowing the community to see your business cares about the animals! Call 633-6019 for more info.

Bleach - needed daily - approx. 3, 5.38 litre jugs per day
Technical Puppy food - available at the Feed Store, Pet Junction
Technical Cat food
Technical Dog adult food
Multipurpose 8x11 paper
paper shredder
Plumbing repair
Heating/Boiler repair
Ventilation repair
Cat and Dog Outdoor Kennel repair
Computer repair and networking
2 line telephone replacement
Dog outdoor kennel - re-leveling
And good, old fashion CASH is always welcome as well.
633-6019 for more information

You can also visit our website at www.humanesocietyyukon.ca and make a donation through paypal for your convenience.See More

Sunstroke Music Festival: Fundraiser for Mae Bachur Animal Shelter

2011-06-07T16:47:00.000-07:00

Sunstroke Music Festival is the premiere summer music festival in downtown Whitehorse. Each year, the event takes place at Shipyards Park. We liaise with many businesses, agencies and volunteers to successfully carry out the event. Sunstroke has grown exponentially since its inception in 2006, and has an incredible impact on local businesses, Yukoners and visitors alike. In our inaugural year, we had 600 patrons attend. Last year, we had 2,000 people in attendance! All revenue raised from Sunstroke is donated to the Humane Society Yukon.

In 2010, Sunstroke expanded for the very first time in 5 years to a 2-day festival. Each year, we offer free kids activities, including face painting, animal balloons, interactive clowns, and specially-programmed children’s musicians. Our wide selection and variety of musical genres are programmed to attract a diverse audience, while also showcasing our incredibly vibrant local music scene. When not inside the tent enjoying the entertainment, or a cold, refreshing beverage from our beer gardens, people dine at one of our many vendors. It is important to us to invite a collective of artists with locally made goods.

Sunstroke 2011 will take place at Shipyards Park on Friday, June 24, 2011, from 3:00 pm to midnight, and on Saturday, June 25, from noon until midnight. Tickets are available only at the front entrance. Adults = $30/day, Students/Seniors = $20/day, Kids Under 12 are Free.

For more information, find us on Facebook or contact Triple J’s Music at jjjmusiccafe@klondiker.com

Dogs riding in backs of trucks

2011-06-03T11:32:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost here! And along with it, the season when so many dogs ride in the back of pick-up trucks. Dogs riding in the back of pickup trucks may look like they’re having fun. With nose testing the wind and ears flopping, the dogs seem to enjoy the trip. And they get to go with their masters, after all…….

Whether your dog enjoys the ride or not, he/she is in great danger riding in an open truck bed. If you hit a bump, swerve to avoid an obstacle, or brake suddenly, the dog could easily fly out of the truck. If the fall doesn’t injure or kill the dog, it is likely that another car will. And in an attempt to avoid hitting the fallen dog, another driver may cause ensuing accidents. Carrying dogs in pickups poses a threat to both the animal and other motorists. Simply tying the dog to the truck bed is not enough. Ropes and leashes become nooses if the dog should be jolted out of the truck. And the wind whipping through the dog’s ears is full of dirt, debris, and gravel that can lodge in the eyes, nose, or ears and cause serious damage. Take your dog along for the ride. But let him/her ride secured in the front with you or in a kennel in the truck bed. Your dog will enjoy the trip a lot more if he/she doesn’t have to fight for his/her life against gravity, momentum, and traffic to get there.

Summer Heat Warning:

2011-06-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

Even though warnings go out every year, hundreds of dogs die needlessly each year after being left in vehicles during the warm weather.
NEVER take your dog along with you while running errands or shopping during warm weather months. Even if the temperature feels comfortable to you, the problem is that a car acts like a greenhouse allowing heat to build up inside, even with the windows partially open.
Temperatures inside a vehicle can very quickly reach well over 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Farenheit) in a very short time; dogs can only tolerate this temperature for a very short time (less than 10 minutes) before suffering irreparable brain damage or death. Beating the heat is hard for your dog as they do not have sweat glands and the only way to rid their bodies of excess heat is to pant – which is not the most effective way to cool off.

Have a safe and fun summer for both you and your pet by not leaving them in unattended vehicles. And remember – they are already wearing a fur coat!

Fundraisers needed!

2011-03-16T13:22:00.001-07:00

Humane Society Yukon’s Board of Directors is approximately half way through its one year term. The Board is hoping to recruit one or two new board members who will mesh well with the current board, and who can help with fundraising and grant proposal writing. If you are interested, please send an expression of interest to Jordi Mikeli-Jones, President, HSY, c/o shelter@northwestel.net. Thank you for supporting the Humane Society!

Bella Fund Increased by $500

2011-02-16T12:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who went on Facebook and "liked" Unity Clothing, they raised $500 for the shelter's Bella Fund. For those of you who don't know, the Bella Fund is for shelter animals who require more than the usual medical treatments.

Dexter is next in line for the Fund and all the money raised will go to him and any future animals who need help.

Top Ten Toxins In 2010

2011-02-05T13:14:00.000-08:00

OK, our title is a little light but this is a serious post. The ASPCA has put together its Top Ten list of pet toxins for last year.

1. Human medications
2. Insecticides.
3. Rodenticides.
4. Human food.
5. Veterinary medications.
6. Chocolate.
7. Household toxins.
8. Plants.
9. Herbicides.
10. Outdoor toxins.

For more details on the list check out:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.aspx

There are many things that are toxic to pets, always keep potentially dangerous substances away from your animals.

Yes, Facebook does have a use

2011-01-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

Or is that too cynical?

Unity Clothing in Whitehorse has a Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Unity-Clothing/149894025036306

For every person who "likes" their page between today and 5th February, Unity will donate $1 to the shelter's Bella Fund. The fund is for major medical expenses for shelter animals such as Dexter who needs a hip replacement. Our aim is to reach $500. If you're on Facebook, go and "like" their page. If you're not on Facebook, make an account and like their page, it's worth it.

Santa Pet Photos A Success!

2011-01-06T14:57:00.000-08:00

Once again the Pet Photos with Santa was a big success. The total amount raised was a huge $2,503.74!! This beats last year’s fundraising by $700.

Our Santa this year was Brian Farrell, and big thanks go out to him for stepping into the role so willingly and almost last minute. Our usual Santa was unable to fill the role this year and we had to scramble a bit to find a replacement. Brian stepped in – for all three days – without complaint and we couldn’t have done it without him! He has past experience with the Pet Photos as he was Santa for the first several years when the fundraiser was at the Horwood’s Mall. Thank you, Brian, for being patient, calm and so easy to work with!

Lisa and The Feed Store staff once again went far above and beyond their call of duty (and most likely their job descriptions) to accommodate us. The photos started out in the warehouse, and while coffee & hot apple cider were on hand to stave off the chill, it was very cold inside. After a few difficulties (including the floor icing over), the photos were moved inside where it was warmer. This wasn’t the ideal situation, particularly as overexcited dogs & puppies have a bad habit of peeing regardless of how well they’re behaved in general, but the staff bore it well and we are, as usual, hugely grateful for their cooperation and use of their space.

Gerry Steers was once again our photographer and did a remarkable 250 photos in three days this year! It’s a lot of work and we appreciate the time she gave the shelter to do this. Thanks, Gerry!

And once again, this never would have happened without all their pets & their owners coming out to support us. Despite problems that seem to arise each year (we do try to think ahead & prepare for the worst, but the worst keeps changing!), you return each year and help us in our cause for the animal residents at Mae Bachur. Our sincere gratitude & thanks to each and every one of you!

Happy New Year from the Staff and Board of Humane Society Yukon!

Return of the Carcross Posties

2010-12-21T19:01:00.000-08:00

Yes, once again the posties and the good people of Carcross have spent the past year raising money for the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter. They visited the shelter on Saturday and donated $2,204 to us.

Thanks to everyone in Carcross and to the posties for all their hard work.

Also in donation news:

A group of Grade 10 students at Porter Creek Secondary School built and auctioned off gingerbread houses. They were able to give the shelter a $50 gift card and $276 which will be matched by The Feed Store in Whitehorse.

Thanks to the students and staff at PCSS for their work and to The Feed Store for once again being a great supporter of the shelter.

O little pups of Whitehorse

2010-12-04T13:14:00.000-08:00

How sweet we see thee lie,
Around thy deep and dreamful sleep
The shelter staff go by.
Yet in thy deep dreams shineth
The everlasting hope,
The coming weeks will see a home
Where they will be loved.

How carefully, how carefully
The loving homes are chosen.
So dog imparts to human hearts
The blessings of the canine.
No ear may hear their coming,
But in this land of snow,
Where good homes will receive them now
The loving pup will bide.

Britain's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a slogan for this time of year,
A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas.
The RSPCA, together with similar societies around the world, works to educate people as to the problems associated with giving animals as gifts. Where midwinter festivals are held, December is a busy time of year. There is so much to do with visiting family, making feasts and buying presents that there is little time to give a new animal the attention it requires and deserves.
Maybe your kids have been begging for a pet and promised to take care of it. How many toys do you remember being abandoned by Boxing Day? Exactly.
All animals need care and puppies and kittens need much more than adults. They will grow as well, they don't stay small and cute forever.
Too many animal shelters see an influx of animals in January due to people giving animals as gifts which are then unwanted.
The Mae Bachur Animal Shelter will not be adopting out animals from 18th December to 27th December. This is a common policy among animal shelters to avoid shelter animals being returned unwanted after Christmas.

If you are thinking of taking on an animal as a pet, whether from a shelter or elsewhere, wait until after the festivities have finished and you have the time to devote to the new member of your family.
As the unknown author of "Forgotten Dog's Christmas" wrote,
" You weren't given a gift, you were given a life".

The staff and residents of the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We thank all those people who have donated time, money and items to help us take care of our animals through 2010 and look forward to seeing you again in 2011.

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a picture of Rover and Santa

2010-11-09T17:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas is rapidly approaching once more, someone had to break it to you.

Once again, Humane Society Yukon is offering the chance to have your pet`s photo taken with Santa.

Santa will be at The Feed Store, 9006 Quartz Rd, on 27th November, 4th December and 11th December. On all three Saturdays he will be ready to pose with your pets from 11AM to 4PM.

A 5x7 photo of your pet and Santa is only $10 and all the proceeds go to the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter.

Just what you need as present for your cousin Julia! Or Auntie Mabel! Or your granny! There`s always someone who will appreciate it.

Wonderful News on Trevor

2010-11-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

The Yukon Supreme Court has granted our application to keep Trevor here at the shelter. We will continue providing him with training and exercise under the guidance of Dr. Shelley Breadner, the animal behaviourist who assessed Trevor. We will be able to transfer Trevor to a suitable home once one becomes available.

Thank you to everyone who worked hard to get us through this lengthy court process!

We have kept our costs to a bare minimum, thanks to our volunteers, as well as the support of the Law Line, and the generous donation of time from our lawyer, Carrie Burbidge. Thank you so much, Carrie! We couldn’t have done it without you.

Here is an excerpt from Justice Veale’s judgement:

“I appreciate the weariness of the City with this process but I cannot agree to euthanize the dog when there is a responsible owner, the Humane Society Yukon, prepared to care for the dog with all the safety conditions in place along with the supervision and management of Dr. Breadner. In other words, Trevor will be managed in the interests of public safety, whether or not a suitable foster home is ever found for him. Should a suitable home be found for the dog in the City’s jurisdiction, the City must be notified so that By-Law Services can exercise its mandate under the Animal Control Bylaw, especially as it concerns public safety. Should a suitable home be found for Trevor outside the City, the local authority must consent and the provisions of this Order apply.”

(Slightly Less) Crowded House

2010-10-16T15:15:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the people who have adopted and fostered some of our animals and the animal shelter in Skagway we are now less crowded than before. Whilst the situation is not at crisis point, we still have many animals looking for loving homes.

We are still in need of dog walkers and other volunteers to help out at the shelter. We have many dedicated walkers but we can always use more. You give a dog a break from the shelter for an hour or so and give yourself some exercise.

Why not call round sometime and meet some of our furry inhabitants. You never know who could steal your heart.

Shelter Update

2010-09-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

The Mae Bachur Animal Shelter is full to capacity. We are not accepting any more animals at this time. Please note that our website is under repair this week but we have an overwhelming amount of puppies, small, medium and large dogs currently available for adoption. Come down today and see our residents. We are also in need of foster homes for puppies and special needs dogs.

Please come by today, we are at 126 Tlingit Street in the industrial area. The shelter is open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 7PM.

We hope to have our website updated for adoptions very soon.

Buddy Can You Spare a...Massive Amount of Dog Food?

2010-09-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

Wow! When we put the the ad in the Yukon News and on the blog we didn't expect the response to be as big as it was. We have received a massive amount of food for our animals as well as cash donations to put towards food costs.

We know that Yukoners are generous but even we were surprised by the number of people who donated food.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to buy food for us, who dropped off money for food or who arranged for food to be ordered.

Dog Jog A Success

2010-09-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

Our annual Dog Jog took place on 29th August. 26 dogs took part in the walk and about $1000 was raised for the shelter.

Thanks to all those who took part as well as their humans.

Jessica and the Kettle Corn folks popped popcorn for the participants and donated all sales to the shelter. Thanks to them and also the Feed Store who loaned us a water trough for the dogs and donated a box of pigs ears as rewards for the dogs.

Northern Wonders

2010-08-27T14:10:00.001-07:00

Northern Wonders isn't just the name of this youth group, it's a good description of the kids involved. Through the summer they have been selling cookies, lemonade and homemade dog treats. Thanks to all their work, they managed to raise $555.53 for the shelter. More great work by young Yukoners. Thanks to everyone for all their work raising the money for us.

Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?

2010-08-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't seen the Yukon News, this is the text of an advert we are running:

We are calling upon the generosity of Yukoners once again.

The shelter is running low on dog food. We need Technical puppy food, as
well as any quality brand of adult dog food.
Any donations of dog food, either wet or dry, would be very much
appreciated. If you are cleaning out your shed or just want to do some
shopping for us, we could put it to good use.

Thank you so much, we couldn't do it without you. For more info or to drop
off donations:

Mae Bachur Animal Shelter

126 Tlingit Road

633-6019

Humane Society Yukon Annual General Meeting

2010-08-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

The AGM was held 17th August at the Whitehorse Public Library. It was a well attended event, thanks to all those members who turned up.

As a result of the AGM we now have a new board. Some of our directors have continued and others chose to stand down. Our thanks go out to those directors who have left the board for all their work and dedication to the cause of helping Yukon animals.

Jordi Mikeli-Jones who was previously vice-president is now the HSY President.
Tracy Smythe who was previously the administrator at the Shelter is now Vice-President.
Paula Armstrong has taken over the duties of Treasurer.
Annie Griffin is remaining in her position as Secretary.

We have a further five directors, Rachel Westfall, James Kirby, Danielle Noel, Jan Slipetz and Maryanne Baer. Many of whom are new and who are bringing plenty of enthusiasm and fresh ideas to the Society.

Cadets Cache Comestibles at Checkouts

2010-08-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

Some of the cadets attending the Summer Training at the Cadet Camp helped raise money for the shelter. They bagged people's groceries at Superstore and managed to raise a whopping $1,476.68 for us.

The cadets, some of whom are seen above, presented a cheque to the Humane Society Yukon's President on 12th August.

Many thanks to the cadets who took the time to help us out and to the people who gave money. Where we have young Canadians of this calibre in the country, we can all know that Canada will be in safe hands.

More Birthday Gifts!

2010-08-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

Amelia Johnson had a birthday recently and asked for gifts for the shelter rather than herself. A cash donation and six bags of goods were the result.

Thanks to Amelia and all the people who got on board to donate to us.

Pet food recall

2010-08-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

We've just had word about a new pet food recall.

Proctor & Gamble are recalling all varieties and sizes of the following:

Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas
Iams Prescription Renal Diet Cat Food
Eukanuba Naturally Wild
Eukanuba Pure

The recall concerns dry food that carries "Best By" dates from 01Jul10 to 01Dec11. No canned food is involved in this recall.

P&G are recalling this food due to possible salmonella contamination. They advise that any pet food involved should be discarded.

Salmonella can infect many animals including humans. If you suspect that you or your pet has contracted salmonella, call your vet or doctor immediately.

On your paws, get set, jog!

2010-08-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

The 17th annual Mae Bachur Dog Jog is right around the corner.

On Sunday 29th August, Whitehorse dogs at the SS Klondike and walk or jog their owners around the Millennium Trail. Registration is at noon, with the jog starting at 1PM. The jog will be followed by snacks and prizes. Prizes will be awarded for Smallest, Largest, Best dressed, Oldest, Most Money Raised and of course the owner/dog lookalike contest!

Spread the word!

See you there!

Thanks to Meadow Lakes

2010-08-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

Meadow Lakes Golf Club in Whitehorse made a large donation to us. For the month of July they set aside $3 for every paying round as a donation for the shelter. We just received $2,500 from Meadow Lakes. That's a lot of golf!

Thanks to Meadow Lakes and all the golfers who helped raise the money.

Leaving on a jet plane

2010-07-31T15:46:00.000-07:00

As of writing, the shelter's pups Kveldulf, Delilah and Flicka are currently ensconced in the SPCA shelter in Victoria, BC. They are doing very well and already playing with the volunteers. The pups, originally from Ross River, will be shortly moving to their new homes on Vancouver Island. The SPCA in Victoria has been short of puppies and the shelter here has had too many. So, thanks to a lot of work by some of our Board members there is an agreement between Victoria SPCA and the Mae Bachur shelter to occasionally send some of our homeless pups to BC.

Of course, there would be no point in such an agreement if there was no way for the pups to travel. That's where more Yukon and BC generosity comes in. Air North have donated four flights a year for puppy transport. When they arrive at Vancouver airport it's time for Worldwide Animal Transport to take over and they are donating their time and experience to taking care of the pups at the airport. Then Pacific Coastal Airlines fly the canines to Victoria, again for free. After that it's just a short trip to the SPCA.

The shelter staff and Board members would like to thank the airlines and Worldwide Animal Transport for all their help.

More donations

2010-07-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

Samantha Martinson had a birthday on 24th July and asked for donations for the shelter. She has just been by and dropped off a lot of useful items to us. A slightly belated Happy Birthday to Samantha and thank you for thinking of us.

Hot town, summer in the city

2010-07-16T14:50:00.000-07:00

Even in the Yukon temperatures can get hot, the readings you see in the weather report are SHADE TEMPERATURES. A thermometer left lying in direct sunlight can read several degrees above that temperature. So, even if the weather report isn't too warm the heat in the sun can be much hotter.

Why this little science lesson? Dogs in cars. We've all seen it, a dog in a car with windows cracked slightly to let a breath of air into the vehicle. Maybe five minutes in the shade, not a problem. Longer or any time in direct sunlight, you have a problem. Let's take a look at some figures, the temperature in the sunshine is 29C, in ten minutes the temperature can climb to 39C. In half an hour it could reach 49 degrees celsius! A car acts the same way as a greenhouse and traps heat inside even if the windows are open an inch or two.

Dogs have a lower heat tolerance than humans and can suffer severe damage to the central nervous system, heart and liver in a very short time.

Don't believe me? Try this test, park your car in the sunshine. Crack one or two windows so they are open about an inch. Sit in your car, wearing a sweater and do not drink water. Time how long it takes you to get so uncomfortable you have to leave the car. Now think about how a dog would feel after the same time.

What can you do if you see a dog in distress? First, try to find the dog's owner. If you're in the parking lot of a large store then there's a good chance that the owner is inside and can be paged. If you can't find the owner then contact the police or the local animal cruelty officer. Do the same if the owner refuses to help. Many places have laws regarding dogs in hot cars and even if your area doesn't then animal cruelty laws will still apply. Remember to call the authorities rather than do anything yourself, that way you are not responsible for any damage to the car.

A dog cannot let itself out of the car, it cannot call 911. If you see a dog in a car on a hot day that looks in distress, don't walk on by. Help the dog, whatever you need to do.

In Whitehorse you can call us at the shelter, 633-6019. Also you can contact the City's Bylaw Officers at 668-8382 or 334-1084.

Friendship with animals

2010-07-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

We have a couple more people to thank for helping us.

Pier-Anne Menard and Alizee Salesse made friendship bracelets and sold them in the local market. They donated all the money made to the shelter.

Thanks Pier-Anne and Alizee, the staff and animals really appreciate your help.

We also received a donation of $100 in memory of Charlie the dog from Krista and Kalin Mroz. We do appreciate people thinking of us even in very difficult circumstances, thank you both.

Trevor Update

2010-07-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

There was another court hearing on Monday 5th July regarding Trevor. For those of you who have not read the latest news...

The City of Whitehorse has requested more time to speak to residents of the area where Trevor will be staying and to deal with both First Nation and territorial governments. Justice Ron Veale has stated that he will make a final and definitive ruling on 5th October. In the meantime, Trevor will remain at the shelter in the care of staff and the volunteers who are cleared to take care of him.

The Society would like to thank all those people who have donated time and money to help Trevor so far. We hope that in October Trevor will be able to travel to his new home.

Donations from Outside

2010-07-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

We always talk about how generous Yukoners are, now we've had a donation from Alberta.

United Way of Calgary, Donor Choice Program sent us a cheque for $288.00

Thanks to United Way of Calgary and the Calgarians who chose us to receive the donation.

Another Donation

2010-06-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

Another local company has just helped us out. Marsh Lake Tents & Events has donated $1,000 to the shelter.

Thanks to them from all our animals. It shows how great the support is from all Yukoners.

Sunstroke

2010-06-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

No, it's not what we're suffering from in Whitehorse after the bright sunshine and heat of the past few days (pauses for hollow laughter) it is our annual music festival.

If you're in the area of Whitehorse, the fun starts at 4PM Friday 25th June (today) and runs till midnight. Saturday 26th June has a whole twelve hours of music from midday to midnight. We have Rock, Roots, Doom Metal, Folk, Blues and more.

There are local vendors, activities for kids and beer gardens for the, ahem, more grown up kids. The price is $20 per day and kids under 12 get in for FREE!

This is a fundraiser for the Humane Society so, if you're in the area please come along to Shipyards Park to enjoy some great music and help our animals. If you're not in the area, just hop on a plane and fly up here to the beautiful Yukon! Come on, you know you want to.

Kids today...They're just so generous!

2010-06-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

Many thanks going out to Cameron Araj. Cameron just celebrated a birthday and asked people to give things suitable for our animals instead of presents. Thanks to Cameron's generosity the shelter now has more food, blankets, money and toys for our animals.

Also raising money for the shelter were the Whitehorse Baptist Church Youth Group. They started off with 4 HB pencils and by a process of "bigger and better" managed to raise $110 for the shelter.

Thanks to all the group, great job!

More thanks go out to Dylan Cozens, who donated $40 to us from his birthday.

Cat Food Recall

2010-06-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

For those of you who may not have heard, there is a recall on certain types of Iams canned cat and kitten food.

The details are as follows:

On June 9, Iams (a Proctor & Gamble company) recalled Iams ProActive Health canned Cat and Kitten Food, all varieties of 3 ounce and 5.5 ounce cans, with "09/2011" and "06/2012" date stamps on the bottom of the can. The recall applies to North America. The problem is a deficiency in vitamin B1 (Thiamine).
Cats who have been fed these foods exclusively should be watched for symptoms that include decreased appetite, vomiting, and possible dizziness. If your cat shows these symptoms, call or visit your veterinarian immediately. Cats with a mixed diet - for example, who regularly get dry cat food, or another type of canned - are probably getting the vitamin from the other food. It's a good idea for cat owners to return recalled food anyway.
Stores should accept returns of this food for a full refund. For a complete information, visit the FDA recall page or the Proctor & Gamble (Iams' parent company) page.

Thiamine is an extremely important vitamin for cats and dogs. It has been linked to a healthy immune system and proper functioning of the nervous system. As always with pet health, if you see your cat showing any of the signs listed above CALL YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY.

"She...is leaving"

2010-06-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

After 4 years in charge of the shelter our Administrator, Tracy Smythe, is moving on to new challenges. All the staff wish her well and would like to thank her for her dedicated work on behalf of the animals.

Garage Sale A Success

2010-06-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

The shelter's garage sale ran last weekend and raised over $4,000!

Thanks to all those who donated items as well those as those people who bought stuff from us.

Special thanks goes out to our amazing volunteers who organised the sale. It took weeks of planning to achieve the sale together with a lot of work.

A Healthy Canine Mind In A Healthy Canine Body

2010-06-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

Well, summer is just about here (risk of frost tonight excepted) and the shelter is preparing for some upgrades.

We are having a fence installed in our dog yard at the shelter, this extra fence will increase the canine capacity of our yard. Not all dogs get along with each other and so when dogs are out for exercise we have to to find the appropriate mix of pooches. The end result is that some dogs end up spending yard time on their own. When the solo mutts are outside we can't let any other dogs out. Our new fence will effectively double available dog space and so allow for all our dogs to have more time running around in the fresh air.

Even though all the dogs get the best of care in the shelter they still have to spend a lot of time in their pens. All of our dogs look forward to their walks and yard time and when our upgrades are complete, their wait will be shorter. Sanus canine mens in a sanus canine somes, which requires plenty of outdoor canine activity.

This project would not be possible without some help, in this case the help has come from Yukon Energy which has donated $5,000 to the shelter for this project. Many thanks to Yukon Energy for their help which will greatly increase the canine hwyl at the shelter . This is genuinely one of those cases where the phrase "We couldn't have done it without you," applies.

Trevor Update

2010-05-27T14:54:00.000-07:00

As those of you who live in the territory may be aware, there was another court hearing regarding Trevor the dog on 26th May. The result of that is a court hearing on 5th July. We have a potential foster home for Trevor outside Whitehorse and the Society will be holding meetings with the City in the next few weeks to discuss the matter before the court date. The City has indicated that they want to work on ironing out any problems and both sides will be working hard to resolve the situation to Trevor's advantage.
The judge has indicated that he wishes to see the matter resolved either way in the near future and we are hopeful that Trevor can be homed and continue his rehabilitation.

On a lighter note, Dogtown - The Trial of Trevor had its first performance at Whitehorse's Guild Hall recently. Written by local playwright Ross Ness, the play was performed to positive audience reaction. Ross is currently at work on a full length version of the play. It is hoped that Trevor will be able to make a public appearance on stage when the play is completed and receives its premiere.

Another helpful Yukoner!

2010-05-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

10 year old Alanna Tochacek has been going around her neighbourhood collecting donations of food and blankets for the shelter. She also has plans to involve her school in doing more for us. Also Alanna chose to spend part of her weekend spending some quality time with our cats.

Many thanks to Alanna and good luck with the future collecting!

Spring has sprung, well today anyway

2010-05-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

Plants are growing, being planted and gardeners are preparing fertilizer for their gardens. This can be a dangerous time for dogs.

Plants such as crocus, tulips, daffodils and lily of the valley contain toxins that are harmful to dogs if the bulbs are chewed.

Fertilizers that include cocoa mulch, blood & bone meal, disulfoton and any organophosphates are also very hazardous to dogs. The same goes for many herbicides and pesticides. Anything lying on the surface or even in loose soil can get on dog's fur and later be ingested.

Raised beds are a good idea for dog owners who are also gardeners and if you must fertilize your lawn or garden then either use a pet-friendly product or keep your pet away from the garden.

Your local garden centre will have access to all the information as to what plants and products are safe to use around dogs.

Combing and brushing and combing and.......

2010-05-14T12:39:00.000-07:00

'Tis the season for shedding. All those of us who have dogs know that around this time there's plenty of excess hair lying around. What do you do apart from compost it? You could help the Gulf of Mexico.

It's true, booms made of old nylons and hair can soak up amazing amounts of oil. An organization called Matter of Trust is collecting hair and nylon stockings to make booms. Any hair will work, human, dog, cat or polar bear. (The shelter does not advocate travelling to the Arctic to comb polar bears. Any polar bear hair is collected at your own risk.)

You can drop off the hair at Kutters, 309 Wood Street in a plastic garbage bag. They are also accepting old nylons for the booms.

The BBC's website has an interesting article in their magazine regarding this, http://www.bbc.co.uk/

More Thanks

2010-05-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

Aimery Barrault had a birthday and donated money to us, thanks Aimery.

Oscar Sawicki collected $20 at his 9th birthday and donated it to the shelter. Thanks to Oscar.

Yukon Engineering Services held a fundraiser barbecue on 7th May.

They managed to raise a massive $2,020 for the shelter as well as making some really good burgers. The staff and animals at the shelter extend their thanks to YES. As we have said before, it is due to great Yukoners like the staff at YES and all those who donated money that we can keep the shelter open.

Thanks also to the Kindergarten class of Whitehorse Elementary School. They baked some dog biscuits, which our dogs love, and coloured some drawings which are now adorning our entrance.

A little known danger

2010-05-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

These little plastic tags are a common sight holding together bags of bread and bagels. They can be a danger to dogs, cats and even children if they should be eaten. The hooks can latch on to the walls of the stomach or intestines and perforate them.

That requires emergency treatment from the vet and could be fatal. When you throw out the plastic garbage, make sure your animals do not have access to it.

A jug of lemonade, a cookie and thou

2010-04-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Northern Wonders youth program held a fundraiser for us last Friday, 23rd April. They sold lemonade, cookies, dog treats and teddy bears and raised $350 for the shelter.

They are also holding another sale 30th April at their building on Wann Road with more lemonade and cookies.

Northern Wonders also have an account at Raven Recycling and so any refundables can be dropped off there and the money will also be donated to the shelter.

Thank you to everyone at Northern Wonders and those people who helped them raise the money.

It's Spring in the Yukon, It's Garage Sale time!

2010-04-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Once again Humane Society Yukon is holding a Garage Sale!

Come to the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter on June 4th, 5th and 6th and see all the great stuff we'll have for sale.

The shelter will be accepting items starting on 15th May. Please, no electronics.
Anything else you don't want but is still in decent condition is welcome.*

*This does not apply to spouses and children.

Trevor

2010-04-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Some people have been asking us about Trevor recently, from all over the country. Trevor is still here at the shelter. We are still searching for a home that meets all the requirements and there is work ongoing to try and relax some of the restrictions. If you live in Whitehorse and think you may be able to help Trevor, please contact the shelter.

The restrictions on Trevor are part of the court order and it is only the Supreme Court of the Yukon who can change or lift the restrictions.

Earth Day Donation

2010-04-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

Thursday 22nd April was Earth Day and Yoga In The Alpine, here in Whitehorse, had an Earth Day fundraiser.

They donated $300 to the shelter.

Thanks to all the people who raised the money.

Add three eggs and bake in a low oven...

2010-04-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

Humane Society Yukon is looking for help with our new fundraiser. We are publishing a cookbook!

Do you have a favourite recipe that you want to share? All the recipes in our cookbook will be provided by HSY supporters and you get credit for your contribution.

So, what we are looking for are recipes in the following categories:
Pet Food
Desserts
Cookies/Cakes/Pies
Breads
Main Dishes (Wild meat or fish only please)
Beverages
Soups & Salads
Vegetarian & Vegan

We are accepting recipes at the shelter, 126 Tlingit Street, or you can email them to
pdbastien@northwestel.net

Want to help out more? $20 will get you listed on our sponsor page or $50 will get you a full page ad! Space is limited for our ads so act quickly. Call Deborah at 667-2066.

We are also taking pre-orders for the book which will be out in the summer.

Everyone has their favourite recipes so share yours and help our animals now!

Thank you, Merci, Diolch yn fawr

2010-04-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

Time once again to thank more of the great Yukoners who help out the Shelter with donations.

Amy Petelski raised $148.05 at her sixth birthday party by asking for donations to the shelter in lieu of gifts.

The Feed Store and Super A Porter Creek both made large donations to the Shelter recently.

Brody and Gracie Ryckman had a birthday party this past weekend. Instead of gifts, they asked for dog biscuits and treats for the shelter.

Callia Fielding also accepted money in lieu of presents and donated it to us.

Darcey Mackay donated $125 to the shelter plus dog treats from her 9th birthday.

Thanks to the above and to those many others who have donated money to us. We can't say it enough, we really appreciate all the donations we receive. Without the generosity of Yukoners we would not be able to take care of the animals that pass through the shelter.

And the winner is...

2010-03-03T16:04:00.000-08:00

These are the results and the prizewinners from Rendezvous.

In the Pet Parade:

First Place: Rhonda Kotelko with Charley.
Charley is the three legged dog in the pirate costume.

Second Place: Sophie Senecal with Bijou.
Bijou is the hamster who took part in the parade.

Third place: Kelly Pollard with Maggie.
Maggie can be seen wearing tartan in our picture of the howling contest.

In the dog howling contest:

First Place: Diane Pawluck with Stitch and Sophia & Sullivan Bond with Wib.
The contest was so tight that Stitch and Wib could not be separated.

Second Place: Michael Pelow with Nanuk and Steve Brewis with Kyloe & Sika.
Another close battle for second with one of Steve's dogs as backing singer to the rest.

Third place: Sparks.
We don't have Sparks' owner's name.

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all for taking part.

Happy Rendezvous!

2010-02-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's Rendezvous again in Whitehorse complete with all the fun and crazy events. The Humane Society was involved in the Pet Parade and the Dog Howling Contest. There will be a full update of the Dog Howling results later but we did have a three dog tie for first and a two dog tie for third place.

Here are some of the entrants.

The dog in the lower right also acted as a backup singer for the rest of the dogs.

These are some of the dogs in the pet parade.

This was an ingenious costume, the peg leg is real. The dog was unfortunate enough to lose a hind leg and wore the peg leg as part of the outfit. This was the costume that won first prize.

Yes, it is a pet parade not a dog parade so we do get other pets.

Thanks to all those who took part in the parade. Thanks also to those who dropped some money in our donation can.

Enjoy the rest of Rendezvous!

Musher Donations

2010-02-25T13:59:00.000-08:00

The Yukon Quest ended this month with Hans Gatt as the winner, arriving with some very healthy looking dogs who were ready to keep going. A musher started an initiative to raise money for the shelter and we were presented with a cheque for $1,000 this week. So, thanks (in no particular order) to Hans Gatt, Gerry Willomitzer, William Kleedehn, Michelle Phillips, Simi Morrison, Maren Bradley, Jeff Luehmann, Ryan Kinna, Darren and Leanne Kinvig, Kenny Tetlichi, Sky High Wilderness, Uncommon Journeys and Didier Moggia.

As you may have heard or seen on CBC Yukon on Wednesday, we are in need of money to help us cope with the influx of puppies and dogs in the shelter. Thanks to everyone listed above for the much needed donation.

Dogs and puppies and cats, oh my!

2010-02-19T15:20:00.000-08:00

The shelter is completely full! As of writing we have 17 dogs, 23 puppies and 11 cats in the shelter. We are looking for help both for fostering animals and with donations of puppy food and money. We have already been forced to tell people that we cannot accept new dogs at the present time.

The major part of this problem is the lack of spaying and neutering of pets. To all those of you who have taken the time and expense to fix your pets, thank you.

These unwanted puppies and kittens become a burden on those people who care for them. Even worse, they can be abused, left to starve or freeze to death. There is no need for a dog or cat to have one litter of young to be healthy. We have had two puppies literally left outside the shelter this week, one of whom was paralysed.

The staff at the shelter do everything possible to take care of the animals here, but sometimes we are in desperate need of help. Food and money donations are always welcome, especially so given our current situation. 23 puppies need a lot of food, taking care of all the animals requires a lot of money.

Thanks to the Carcross Posties

2010-02-03T13:14:00.000-08:00

The posties in Carcross have once again been working hard and raising money for the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter. They called by on Saturday 23rd January and donated a cheque for over $3,000.

A great job by the posties and the people of Carcross, thanks a lot. Without help like this we could not help the animals.

Moonstroke Festival

2010-02-03T12:43:00.000-08:00

Moonstroke Music Festival was held on 22nd January and was a great success. Over $5,000 was raised for the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter. Moonstroke was held at the Mount MacIntyre Rec Centre and if this year is anything to go by then we will definitely need a larger venue for the 2011 festival.

Our musical acts this year were: Gordie Tentrees Band, Sophisticated Cavemen, Ben Mahony and friends, Ryan McNally, Alex Machidon, Sasquatch Prom Date, CHS and Nemesis. Jeff Brewster was MC for the evening.

A full list of those who volunteered time, money, silent auction items, etc. would make this post sound like a long and boring Oscar acceptance speech. But our main sponsors were Triple J's Music, Yukon Brewing, CKRW and Omni Productions. On behalf of the Humane Society and all the dogs and cats currently in the shelter, thanks for your support. If we could write and thank you all individually, we would.

Don't forget that we will be at Sunstroke again in the summer.

Pet Photos with Santa the Best Ever!

2009-12-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

The Humane Society's annual Christmas Fundraiser, "Pet Photos with Santa," at the Feed Store took place on November 28 & December 5 this year. Although the setup was a bit different than in the past, it seemed to work well (is there a perfect solution?). The wait times were shorter than they have been in the past, but Santa was busier than ever this year.

First and foremost, we would like to sincerely thank all the pets and their people who came by again this year. You are what makes this fundraiser such a success every year. It simply wouldn't happen without the people of Whitehorse showing up and being so generous every year! You never let us down, and continuously show that you care about this shelter and the work we do.

Also, a big thank-you to Lisa and her hard-working (and ever patient) staff at the Feed Store for once again hosting this event. The staff somehow manages to stay calm and keep working admidst the distraction of puppies and dogs milling around and waiting their turn to see Santa. Their dedication to this event is much appreciated!

Roger Jorde was our Santa again this year, as well. Thank you, Roger, for your patience, calm demeanor and sensitivity when dealing with all the pets who come to visit you. Some of our visitors are very uncertain about the man in the red suit, but Roger is extremely kind and patient with them and it always pays off with at least one great shot. See you next year, Roger?

Thank you, Gerry Steers, for the photography. It's not an easy job, but the time and energy you put into it were greatly appreciated.

With your help this year, the Pet Photos was the most successful yet: $1724.00 was raised for Mae Bachur. Thank you for your continued support of our efforts to care for our animals!!

Thanks to Yukon College Staff

2009-12-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

The Yukon College Staff held a silent auction at their annual Christmas party, and raised $2432 for the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter, as well as a large donation of food and pet items. On behalf of the Shelter animals, the Mae Bachur Shelter Staff and Humane Society Board of Directors wish to thank Orlanna Aubichon who solicited the items for the auction, and Jaime Hewitt for organizing the fund raiser. It is people like you who make our job easier, by helping cover the many expenses the Shelter experiences in its daily care of the animals. We very much appreciate all your good work, and the generous support of the Yukon College Staff!!
Photo Left to right: Orlanna Aubichon, Karen Wienberg, HSY Director, Jaime Hewitt

Help - Trevor Needs a Foster Home

2009-12-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

Trevor the Dog needs your help. Trevor has been released by the Court to go into a foster home to continue his rehabilitation. The Mae Bachur Animal Shelter is looking for a foster home in Whitehorse that is willing to commit 6 to 9 months of foster care to help Trevor work through his rehabilitation plan. We have professional trainers to help us and you get Trevor to that point.

Trevor is a playful, rambunctious Shepherd-cross who requires ongoing positive guidance, support and training as he learns to respond appropriately to new and anxiety-producing situations. His foster home must not have more than 2 adults in the house, no children, and no cats. The property must have a secure fenced back yard, and not be adjacent to a school or playground.

If you can open your home and heart to foster Trevor to help him complete his rehabilitation program, we would be very pleased to hear from you. You will not be alone, but be fully supported by the Humane Society, the local trainers, and Dr. Shelley Breadner, the veterinary behaviourist who did Trevor’s assessment.

Help us win Best Shelter

2009-11-07T13:14:00.000-08:00

Mae Bachur shelter has the chance to win some much needed money to continue their good work for the Yukon's homeless animals. Follow the link and vote for us as your favourite shelter!

We are in dire need of shelter repairs, more space for our loving residents, a mouse-proof storage shed, as well as funds for the general day to day business of running the shelter.

Our staff work hard every day to care for all the animals that come through our doors and don't need the extra worries that come with an aging building. We're not a big shelter, but to the animals who rely on the care, compassion and day to day visits from staff and volunteers, we are home for as long as necessary.

Please vote by December 16th!

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/78545

Thank you!

Thanks to Canadian Training Resources

2009-11-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the Canadian Training Resources Ltd group (www.ctrcanada.com) for donating Leadership Development training for our Shelter staff. Our Administrator found the training extremely helpful, and looks forward to applying the principles learned in the day to day operations of the Shelter. Thank you for helping us help our animals.

Trevor will be rehabilitated

2009-10-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

We met in court today to hear from Dr. Shelley Breadner, the veterinary behaviouralist who assessed Trevor. The outcome of todayʼs court hearing was very positive. Trevor will be given the opportunity to be rehabilitated. We will be working with Dr. Breadner over the coming weeks to establish a rehabilitation plan for Trevor.

We are now actively looking for a suitable adoptive home with someone in the Whitehorse area who is able and willing to commit to Trevorʼs rehabilitation and management plan. If you are interested in knowing more about this, or you would like to take a role in shaping Trevorʼs future, please contact Humane Society Yukonʼs Board of Directors at humanesocietyyukon@gmail.com.

The Board of Directors and staff of Humane Society Yukon would like to extend our immense gratitude in welcoming Carrie Burbidge, Barrister & Solicitor, onto our ʽTrevor team.ʼ Carrie has supported and advised us in recent weeks, without charge, and her expert advice has truly been invaluable. She will be acting as our solicitor as the rehabilitation process makes its way through the court. Thank you, Carrie!

We also wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers, donors, and supporters who have helped us in our efforts to save Trevor. We could never have done it without you!

The Allstar DJs Fundraiser for Humane Society Yukon

2009-10-06T12:59:00.000-07:00

Please join the ELITE of the Yukon DJ scene on Friday, October 24 at Coasters Bar and Grill. Triple J’s Music, Tattooing and Body Piercing, Coasters and Humane Society Yukon have partnered to present a fundraising event showcasing the best DJs Whitehorse has to offer: The ALLSTARS FOR ANIMALS, featuring ALL GENRES, ALL STYLES, ALL AWESOME!

For the insanely low price of $5, you can come out to shake yo’ groove thang to beats by 3JDJ, DJ Slipmatt, Synapse, DJ Jonny Gel, Beat Bombshell, DJKJ, and Kill tha DJ.

The DJs will be playing continuous sets showcasing their individual styles, and will be giving away prizes sponsored by Triple J’s Music, Tattooing and Body Piercing during each performance. Musical genres include metal, punk, hip hop, funk, rock, 80s, electro, breaks, house, drum n’ bass, and more!

All proceeds will be donated to help the abused and abandoned animals at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter – to protect those who cannot protect themselves! Animal-themed drink specials all night long! Wicked-awesome prizes throughout the night - stuff you ACTUALLY wanna win! Put a little extra into our DONATION JAR and enter to win free body piercing or tattoo services!

Invite your friends! Dance the Night Away! Have a Drink! Save an ANIMAL! Make a difference!

Thanks to Jonas, Erika and Keith at Coasters for your outstanding generosity and commitment to helping the Humane Society Yukon!!

On Trevor

2009-09-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

Humane Society Yukon went to court to claim ownership of Trevor the dog when the City of Whitehorse Bylaw Services would not recognize our claim. This process was initiated by a member of the public, Kevin Sinclair, who believed the City was not acting in the public’s best interest by refusing to acknowledge our claim. Whenever an animal is adopted from the Humane Society, our adoption contract gives us the right, as well as the obligation, to follow up with that animal in the interests of his or her well-being.

It was not our preference to go to court. We wished to work cooperatively with the City to get Trevor into a safe environment where he could be provided with the care and training he so desperately needs. However, the City opted to go to court instead.

Humane Society Yukon is self-represented in court, and we have kept our costs to a minimum. Our case has been built using volunteer time. However, as residents of the City of Whitehorse, we are all paying for the costs of this court case through our taxes. This is a shame, as so many issues like this one can be solved to everyone’s satisfaction without engaging the legal system.

The court has recognized our claim of ownership of Trevor, and we have now been granted ownership by Court Order. We are also bound under Court Order to work with the City of Whitehorse to have Trevor’s behaviour assessed to see if he can be rehabilitated.

To contain costs, we wished to draw upon local expertise in having Trevor assessed. There are trainers in town with ample experience assessing and rehabilitating aggressive dogs. The City required a veterinarian with a specialty in animal behaviour to perform the assessment. We proposed the name of Dr. Shelley Breadner, a veterinarian from Saanichton, BC, and she came to Whitehorse to perform the assessment. The City paid for her travel, hotel and meals, and the Humane Society paid for the assessment.

In her assessment report, Dr. Breadner diagnosed Trevor with “lack of impulse control,” a condition which will require lifelong management because he may react unpredictably to perceived conflict.

Dr. Breadner did not answer the question of whether she thinks Trevor can be rehabilitated. We will have another day in court to have this question answered.
Dr. Breadner called Trevor a dangerous dog in her report, though she was not tasked with making that determination in her assessment. The process of declaring a dog as a dangerous dog is a procedural one, outlined clearly in the Animal Control Bylaw. The decision to declare a dog a dangerous dog lies in the hands of the Manager of Bylaw Services, and involves a process of documentation of complaints, notification of the owner, right to respond, and the right to appeal. Declaring a dog as a dangerous dog is not a clinical process requiring the professional opinion of a veterinarian or other expert.

When the City designates a dog as a dangerous dog, the owner of that dog has a right to respond and to appeal that decision. The owner also has the opportunity to meet the requirements of the Bylaw for keeping that dog: a fenced yard, a muzzle for the dog when out in public, liability insurance, and so forth.

Humane Society Yukon is committed to continuing to work with Trevor, while taking the necessary precautions in the interest of public safety. We have a whole community of support behind us, including volunteers who walk him, train him, and have offered to give him a home.

The City stated in court that it is their intention to kill Trevor. We don’t understand why they are unwilling to work with us on this. Many other aggressive dogs are permitted to live in the City, so long as the owners are able and willing to meet certain safety requirements.

In our experience, Trevor is an unruly, energetic, good-spirited dog. He is friendly and enthusiastic. As he has spent most of his short life on a chain, at the pound or at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter, he has had very little opportunity to learn dog manners.

Since he was returned to the shelter last month, he has been attending obedience classes with Canines & Company’s Certified Training Director, Erika Rozsa-Atkinson. Erika is confident that Trevor can be trained, and that he has huge potential. She has many years of experience working with aggressive dogs, and Trevor is well within the range of what she can work with.

Trevor isn’t 'just another dog' to us. He is Trevor. As with all the animals in our care, we know him, care for him, and wish to provide him with whatever special attention he requires. We only ask to be given that chance.

Humane Society Yukon

Thank You Westmark!

2009-09-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

The staff and board of the Humane Society Yukon, Mae Bachur Animal Shelter would like to send a huge thank you to the Westmark, Klondike Inn, for donating a large van for our use.

The van is a 1988 Ford Club Wagon, Model E350 with an 8 cylinder and 4.9 litre engine, seating thirteen passengers plus the driver.

Unfortunatly, due to our many repairs needed for the building and medical costs for the animals in residence, we need to sell the van. To anyone interested in purchasing the van, please contact the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter at 1-867-633-6019 or email shelter@northwestel.net.

Trevor Press Release

2009-08-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

The City of Whitehorse and Human Society of Yukon
PRESS RELEASE
August 28, 2009

Contact: John Taylor, Manager of Bylaw Services
Phone: 668-8650
Contact: Gerry Steers, President of the Humane Society of Yukon
Phone: 633-6019

ANIMAL ASSESSOR FOUND FOR SUPREME COURT CASE

WHITEHORSE – The City of Whitehorse and the Humane Society of Yukon have worked in cooperation to find a behavioural assessment expert to examine Trevor the dog.

As part of an August 10 Supreme Court of Yukon Order the City of Whitehorse and the Humane Society were directed to find an animal behavioural specialist mutually agreeable to both parties to determine if Trevor can be rehabilitated.

"I’m pleased that together the Humane Society of Yukon could find a solution that’s in the best interest of public safety as well as the animal,” said Bylaw Services Manager John Taylor.

The City and the Humane Society agreed on Dr. Shelly Breadner of Saanichton, British Columbia. Dr. Breadner is a doctor of veterinary medicine, a member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour and has been doing referral practice behavioural medicine since 1998.

Trevor has been given a reprieve from euthanasia until a behavioural assessment can be performed,” said Breadner. “The behavioural assessment will be to determine Trevor’s basic behaviour, level of arousal, ability to learn and to settle, and how well he can be redirected from his focus or distraction.

"It’s not our intent to pressure Trevor to reactive states,” added Breadner. Breadner will fly to Whitehorse on September 7 and perform her assessment on September 8.

We are very happy that Dr. Breadner will be coming here to assess Trevor on September 8, 2009,” said Human Society President Gerry Steers. “Trevor is currently attending obedience classes with kennel attendant Chris Dingwall, under the instruction of trainer Erika Rosza-Atkinson, of Canines and Company and is showing great enthusiasm for his work. Erika stated that she believed Trevor will make a great obedience competition dog.

We are also happy that the City of Whitehorse has agreed to cover the travelling expenses for Dr. Breadner, but we will still require help to pay for the assessment itself so welcome any public donations,” added Steers.

Anyone wishing to donate should visit the PayPal link at http://www.humanesocietyyukon.ca/

Donate by Paypal!

2009-08-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

The Humane Society Yukon now has an easy and safe way to donate online!

Go to our website http://www.humanesocietyyukon.ca/

Click on "Donate" and then "Charitable Gifts". You can choose to do a one time donation of any amount, or a monthly donation of your choosing! A charitable reciept will be mailed out for donations $20.00 or greater.

We still need money for our Bella fund to cover the extra costs some special needs animals require, such as the recent dental work we needed for Dodger and Benji, and the professional behaviour assessment we will need for Trevor the Dog.

Also, we need money for building renovations to repair the large cracks appearing in the concrete in our kennels, repair the electrical wiring in our boiler which gives us heat in the winter and hot water for cleaning,and repairs to our hot water tank which is leaking.

Each day is a struggle for our Shelter to pay the many operating expenses we have in caring for our animals, and it becomes even more difficult when we have major expenses which are outside our normal daily needs.

The Mae Bachur Animal Shelter would like to thank everyone for any donation whether it is cash, toys, food, helping out at our Bingos, providing labour and repair services, socializing the animals or walking the dogs.

All your help is valuable to the operation of our Shelter and very much appreciated!

2009 YXY GAMES

2009-08-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

Low Life Films and Humane Society Yukon have partnered to present the inaugural 2009 YXY Games on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at the South Access Mud Bogs Grounds.

YXY Games is a fundraiser for the Humane Society Yukon. From noon until 10:00 pm, there will be a Freestyle Moto-X and Sled Competition with a live band, DJ, beer gardens, food vendors, pro riders and a Motor Sports Expo.

Pro Riders include: Cody Borchers of Slednecks, Jeff Mullin of Turnagain Hardcore, local rider Ross Mercer, Lee Stuart and Darryl Tait of Sno-X, Time Hryshchuk of Free Ryders, Brandon and Ray Cormier of Moto-X and Sno-X.

Tickets for adults are $20, and youth (13 and under) are $10 – available at Listers Motor Sports, Yukon Yamaha, Sandors Clothing, Yukon Honda, Checkered Flag Recreation (Polaris), Pizza Hut, Yukon Brewing Company and Triple J’s Music.

COME ON OUT AND SUPPORT THIS EXCITING NEW EVENT! RIDE FOR THE ANIMALS!

2009-08-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

Mitzi's Closet Pet Boutique's sidewalk sale fundraiser was a success!

Thanks to Nikki (Owner and Operator) and her many customers, not only are there many fashionable dogs and cats out there now, but Mitzi's Closet raised $100 for the Humane Society Yukon.

Thank you Mitzi's Closet Pet Boutique, for all the hard work you do!

Maggie May's Chuck Wagon - Fundraiser Continued!

2009-08-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

Maggie May's has had a fundraiser for the Humane Society Yukon since July 7, 2009. It was originaly supposed to go until August 7, but since it is doing so well, it will continue until September 30, 2009 when it will close down for the season.

Maggie May's has raised just over $500 for the Bella-Fund! The fund was created to help unfortunate animals that find themselves in need of special treatment and surgeries, i.e. dental work, amputation, etc.

You can find Maggie May's Chuck Wagon located at the Carcross cutoff with ample space to park and sit down to enjoy your meal. Bring your dogs, your family, your friends and enjoy a great home-cooked meal!

Trevor - Press Release

2009-08-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

Humane Society Yukon
Trevor’s Day in Court
August 7, 2009

On August 6th, Humane Society Yukon and Kevin Sinclair went in front of the Yukon Supreme Court to ask that the Humane Society’s claim on Trevor be recognized by the City of Whitehorse. Our claim was successful. Trevor has been granted a reprieve and an opportunity to have his behaviour formally assessed by a qualified trainer.

The judge agreed with our position that the City of Whitehorse should acknowledge our claim on ownership and interest in Trevor.

The City clarified that it has not declared Trevor a dangerous dog, as defined under the Animal Control Bylaw. The city also acknowledged that there are only two documented bite incidents involving Trevor, one of which broke the skin.

Most importantly, the judge agreed with us that the city cannot kill Trevor under a clause of the Animal Control Bylaw (Section 120) that is intended to protect public safety in immediate situations of urgency (such as a dog rampaging), as they had planned to do. This clause is not written in a way that should give powers to Bylaw Services to euthanize surrendered and impounded dogs such as Trevor, as they present no immediate public safety concern. This judge’s finding may help many other dogs, as the pound euthanizes approximately two dozen impounded dogs each year. We don’t know how many of those impounded dogs have been killed under Section 120 of the Animal Control Bylaw. The City will have to decide how the judge’s interpretation of the Bylaw will affect their future practices.

Humane Society Yukon and Bylaw Services will be working together over the next several weeks to determine what the best next steps will be for Trevor. Trevor will be returned to the Mae Bachur Shelter, where he will reside in the isolation area for the assessment period. He will be cared for by shelter staff, and will be formally assessed by one or two experienced trainers/assessors, chosen jointly by us and the city. For caution’s sake, Trevor will spend the next several weeks under some restrictions. For instance, he will wear a muzzle and a short leash when being walked, and he will only be walked or handled in presence of a shelter staff person. The general public will not have ready access to Trevor, and he will not be fostered or adopted out during this time.

If the assessment is favourable, and the trainers feel Trevor is fine or that he can be rehabilitated, the City will return him to the Humane Society with no conditions. If the assessment is negative, he will be returned to the City to be euthanized. There will be a court hearing in mid-September so the court may have closure on the case.

We’d like to extend a big thank you to the many members of the public who contacted us to express their support for Trevor. We’d also like to thank Kevin Sinclair for initially bringing the case to court, and those who directly supported his efforts. We are very grateful to Robert Pritchard from the Law Line for helping us navigate the process and the maze of paperwork related to the court case; thank you so much, Robert, for offering this invaluable service to the public.

The Humane Society is paying for Trevor’s assessment, and for any rehabilitation that Trevor may require. We are relying on donations to our Bella fund to pay for Trevor’s assessment and any other special care he may need. The Humane Society can process donations and issue charitable receipts. If you would like to make a donation, please contact shelter@northwestel.net or call 867-633-6019.

SIDEWALK SALE FUNDRAISER

2009-08-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

Mitzi's Closet Pet Boutique is having a huge sidewalk sale fundraiser for the Humane Society Yukon! From the extra large to the extra tiny - you'll find your beloved pet that something special.

Where: Mitzi's Closet Pet Boutique #3 Yukon Inn Plaza

When: Saturday August 8th, 2009

Time: 12 noon to 5 pm

20% of all proceeds go towards helping the animals of the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter.

An Update on Trevor

2009-07-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

The good news is Trevor was granted a temporary reprieve this Tuesday. His euthanasia was postponed until August 7 which gives us a bit more timeto fight for Trevor's life. Trevor is still at the City Pound, where he is being cared for while we sort out the matter of Trevor's ownership.

We are very grateful to the group of private citizens who have stepped upto the plate and helped build a case for Trevor's release to the Humane Society. If we are successful in this case, Trevor will undergo behavioural assessment, training, and eventual re-adoption to a responsible home. A big thank you goes out to Kevin Sinclair, who took the necessary steps to initiate the court process that may save Trevor's life.

As a Humane Society, we are mandated to foster a caring, compassionate atmosphere; to promote a humane ethic and responsible pet ownership; and to prevent cruelty to domestic animals. As such, we are striving towards the best possible outcome for Trevor, and for all the animals who comeunder our care.

Trevor the Dog

2009-07-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

Humane Society Yukon is concerned about recent reports that Trevor the dog, who was adopted from the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter by Tamara Allaby on May 15, 2009, has now been surrendered to the Whitehorse City Pound with allegations that he behaved aggressively towards several people.

Trevor’s history

Trevor came to the Mae Bachur Shelter from the City Pound, where he had been treated for injuries from an ingrown collar. The City Pound will not release aggressive dogs to the Mae Bachur Shelter. At the Pound, Trevor behaved well, in spite of being in pain from his ingrown collar. Shelter staff were told that Trevor had cooperated well with his handlers from City Bylaw, and with the veterinarian who provided his care.

At the Mae Bachur Shelter, Trevor did not behave aggressively towards staff or volunteer dog-walkers. The Shelter staff had no concerns about Trevor.

Upon adopting Trevor, Tamara Allaby was given copies of his medical and micro chipping records, and she was informed of Trevor's sad history involving an ingrown collar. Having a collar imbedded into the dog's neck does not cause a dog to become aggressive, and the Shelter‟s experience with Trevor showed him to be well behaved. Tamara Allaby was under a contractual agreement to return Trevor to the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter if she was unable to keep him for any reason.

Judging by recent newspaper reports, Tamara Allaby apparently gave Trevor to her brother, Matthew Allaby, as he claims to have been the dog's owner. According to the adoption agreement Tamara Allaby signed, she was required to return Trevor to the Shelter if she could not keep him, and she should not have given Trevor away to her brother. Trevor never should have been surrendered to the City Pound. He is now on "Death Row," which is not where we think he should be.

We are concerned about newspaper reports that Matthew Allaby took Trevor camping with him without a collar, immediately after adopting him, and presumably let him run loose. This is very irresponsible, given that Trevor was a new addition to the family, and was still adjusting to his new caregivers. All new dog owners should take proper precautions when working with adopted animals.

Adopting a dog from the shelter

All dogs require a period of training and adaptation to their new home, whether adopted from an animal shelter or from elsewhere. Few dogs go to a home prepared to behave perfectly, obedient to commands from a new owner. All new dog owners should be prepared to provide this training, and to help their pet adjust to his or her new surroundings. There are local dog trainers who offer discounts on training classes for dogs coming from the Shelter. If you have adopted a dog from the Shelter, please speak with the Shelter staff regarding these discounts.

We recommend that prospective adopters take the time to get to know the dogs in the Shelter, walking them and spending time with them, before making the decision to take a dog home. This makes the transition easier for the dog, as well as for the new owner.

Shelter policy for aggressive dogs

On the rare occasion that a dog does display aggressive behaviour towards anyone at the Shelter, that dog is not made available for adoption to the general public until they have successfully completed an appropriate course of training and evaluation. Also, the dog‟s eventual adoptive owner is carefully screened to ensure that he or she is an experienced dog handler.

Only on extremely rare occasions will the Shelter euthanize a dog due to aggressive behaviour, as most behavioural problems can be remedied through training and appropriate handling. The Humane Society Yukon views euthanasia as the last resort.

Humane Society Yukon is advocating for Whitehorse City Bylaw to release Trevor to the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter, as he should have been returned there when his adoptive owner was not willing to keep him.

Maggie May's Chuck Wagon Fundraiser

2009-07-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

Maggie May's Chuck Wagon is holding a month long fundraiser for the Humane Society Yukon!

Starting from July 7, 2009 to August 7, 2009, every purchase you make from Maggie May's, $1.00 will go to the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter to help replenish the Bella fund. The fund was created to help unfortunate animals that find themselves in need of special treatment and surgeries, i.e. dental work, amputation, etc.

Maggie May's has a variety of home cooked food that will delight your taste buds. From home-made hamburgers, fish 'n' chips, veggie platers and hot dogs, there is something for everyone!

Located at the Carcross cutoff with ample space to park and sit down to enjoy your meal.

2009-07-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

SUNSTROKE 2009: A BREAKDOWN

Months to Plan = 12

Vendors = 14

Bands = 16

Sponsors = 34

Volunteers = 65

Attendees = 1,300

Money Raised for Shelter = $12,000

Helping abused and abandoned animals = PRICELESS!

Thanks to all the volunteers, performers and vendors who helped make Sunstroke 2009 the single largest annual fundraising event for Humane Society Yukon.

Your attendance, sponsorship and donation of time enabled us to raise $12,000 for the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter. Every penny raised goes directly to the care and management of the animals at the shelter.

Heartfelt gratitude goes out to the SPONSORS who made Sunstroke such a success: YUKON BREWING COMPANY, OMNI PRODUCTIONS, ON YUKON TIME, RUSH FM, MARSH LAKES TENTS AND EVENTS, Sam n’ Andys, Tony’s Pizza, Yukon News, Terra Firma, Sandors, Underhill Geomatics, Cooperators Insurance, Uniglobe Travel, Northland Beverages, Titan Gaming, NorthwesTel Cable, Gold Rush Inn, Mailboxes Etc., Climate Clothing, Versatile Rentals, Mic Mac Motors, Dominos Pizza, Superior Towing, Igloo Ice, Coasters Bar and Grill, Jacob’s Industries, Capital Hotel, Total North, Yukon Yamaha, Sirius Security, Humane Society Yukon, l’AFY and Whitehorse Heritage Festival Society.

A special thank you to Jordi Mikeli-Jones, Owner of Triple J's Music Café, for her hard work associated with planning Humane Society annual fundraisers Sunstroke and Moonstroke.

THANK YOU!

Moonstroke is the next Humane Society Musical Fundraiser – book your calendars now for Friday, January 22, 2010!

Canine Good Neighbour Results

2009-06-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

On June 21 2009, HSY sponsored the CGN test and was successful in educating the public about responsible dog ownership and polite canine behaviour.

Of the 18 dogs that took the test, 8 were once residents of the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter and 5 of those dogs passed! Here is proof that shelter dogs make great pets!

Here are the final results:

18 dogs were tested
8 of those were shelter dogs
13 dogs passed the test
5 of those who passed were shelter dogs
$252.00 was raised for HSY

A huge THANK YOU to Rosanne Konrad and to everyone who participated and volunteered who made this event possible!

Below are just some of the dogs who entered the CGN. The first little dog is Hugo. His original shelter name was Marlin.

2009-06-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

BINGO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The Humane Society Yukon is in desperate need of more Bingo volunteers. Bingo is our main fundraiser for the operation of the Shelter. Bingos are held every Wednesday at the Elk’s Hall starting at 6:00pm. Training is provided. The following are positions needed:

Bingo Floor Walkers 4:00- 6:00 or 6:00- 8:30 p.m. (two shifts)

These volunteers sell bonanza cards on the floor from 4 - 6pm then again from 6 - 8:30pm. The later shift also verifies the winning Bingos and delivers the prize money.

Card Sellers - 4.00 – 6.00pm
These volunteers sell early birds, dabbers and gluesticks from the front table before bingo starts. Volunteers must be comfortable with handling cash and making change.

Bingo can be a lot of fun. It is challenging and fast paced. Please consider donating a few hours per month to help ensure that the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter will continue to be there for homeless animals.

Call the Shelter today at 633-6019 to enlist or email shelteradmin@northwestel.net

On a side note:

Our volunteer database got damaged so anyone who has signed up prior to 2007, would you please come back to the shelter and sign up again? Thank you so much!

2009-06-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

Sunstroke is celebrating its fourth year as an annual Humane Society Fundraiser on Friday, June 26 at Shipyards Park.

Sunstroke is the single largest one-day fundraiser for the animals at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter. From noon until midnight, Sunstroke will host 15 bands from the Yukon and across Canada. Our programming boasts a large variety of musical genres, so as to appeal to every demographic. Kids 12 and under are free!

Other fun festivities include free animal balloons, a bouncy castle, face painting, beer gardens, and a variety of local food and craft vendors.

Sunstroke is the kickoff event to the Solstice Festival, which is brought to you by Triple J's Music, l'Association franco-yukonnaise and the Whitehorse Heritage Festival Society.

Welcome!

2009-06-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Humane Society Yukon's blog!

We, the Staff and Board of Directors, will use this blog to let you know what is going on at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter and in the Yukon communities with regard to animal rescue and animal issues.

Visit our Website for more information, and to see our adoptable animals.