Teresa Cole, Development Officer for the Swift Current SPCA, says that while they don't track their seasonal fundraising separately, she believes that the season has been very generous to them this year during their Winter Appeal.

While the need in Swift Current tends to be year-round, the shelter does sometimes see more furry residents and a longer than usual waiting list in the fall and winter due to the colder weather, especially for cats. It's a situation that can put a tax on resources that they often already find themselves short on, such as dry kitten kibble and wet cat and dog food. Things that Cole describes as the "Practical Needs"

"The other thing that we see happening is that there may be strays that have been hanging around peoples homes or businesses and in the summer and fall they can usually fend for themselves but certainly once the weather turns cold people are always a little more anxious about trying to get them in out of the cold so there can be a longer waitlist come fall and winter."

Throughout the year, the SPCA spends a good portion of it's fundraising time out at various locations, and they appreciate the opportunity for outreach that it provides; allowing them to connect with people who might not be aware of the full scope of their services. Or who may be looking to adopt a pet of their own.  Or simply looking to purchase some pet-themed merchandise like their annual calendar.

For Cole, the community outreach is important as well since, as a no-kill shelter, the best way to make room for more strays is to find more forever homes for its four-legged tenants.

"We have a waitlist for cats and that's a pretty typical situation for us. And we are a no-kill shelter so that means that the best way for us to create space is by encouraging folks to consider us when they are looking at adopting and then for every pet that is adopted that creates another space for us to bring someone in off the waitlist."

The SPCA invites anyone interested in more information on pet adoption or to see a calendar of the upcoming events to visit their website.