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Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
No pet policy leaves some wildfire evacuees in tears
In a crowded Winnipeg hotel parking lot Tuesday afternoon, one sound cut through the noise: the cries of seven-year-old Belinda McKay. While adults stood around sharing cigarettes and stories of their escape from the fire zone aboard C-130 Hercules aircraft, Belinda, who was evacuated with her family from Norway House days earlier, was emotional. Tears poured down her cheeks as she called out for her beloved Buzy. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Bernice Moore's extended family from Cross Lake is living in hotel rooms at the Victoria Inn and they're upset their dog Buzy is not able to stay with them at the hotel but is being fostered by Manitoba Animal Alliance. Displaced from her home in Cross Lake, Belinda was struggling with her new surroundings at an airport-area hotel. Her world crumbled further as a volunteer from Manitoba Animal Alliance gently placed Buzy — her mixed-breed companion — into a crate in the back of an SUV. Buzy, also 7, isn't just a pet, he's her constant companion. 'She's going to be OK,' said Beth Olayvar, the volunteer who will foster Buzy until the family can return home. Belinda's grandmother, Bernice Moore, knelt beside her, holding the girl tightly while brushing away her own behind dark sunglasses. Belinda had arrived with her mother, Darrylee, from Norway House, making the more than eight-hour trek by pickup truck with half a dozen children. Her grandfather, Darell Moore, flew in on a C-130 Monday evening and was still waiting for a room at the hotel where the rest of his family was staying. 'They said it takes about two days from the time you register with Red Cross to the time they find you a room,' he said. He spent the night in the truck his daughter had driven down, parked alongside Buzy. 'Tough to sleep,' he said. 'But I can't leave the dog alone, and we had the windows open and it was nice to breathe in the fresh air.' Olayvar, meanwhile, was heading home to give Buzy a bath. The back of her vehicle had treats, food and toys. 'I have no pets but I love dogs,' she said. 'I've always wanted to help. I've got the time now, too. I was just laid off at work, so it was perfect time.' Similar scenes played out in other locations around the city, as many evacuees who were able to flee the Manitoba wildfires with their pets have learned the animals are not allowed where they are being lodged. A 'no animals' policy at some Winnipeg hotels means plenty of furry friends are isolated from their families, even if it's only temporary. Some evacuees have been forced to leave their pets with animal shelters around Winnipeg, including the Winnipeg Humane Society. The humane society opened a popup shelter Tuesday at St. Norbert Community Centre within 24 hours. 'The fact that it came together in pretty much a day is quite incredible,' said Carly Peters, director of communications and marketing at the humane society. 'We are super grateful to have this space to offer families care and comfort for their animals while they stay somewhere else.' The space includes a vet clinic, vaccines for sick animals, a hockey rink for exercise and volunteers that will help feed the pets. It has room for about 60 pets, with one room for cats and another for dogs. Peters expects the facility to fill up quickly. The non-profit will consider expanding to other recreational centres, if needed. Families have been encouraged to reunite with their pets during the shelter's visiting hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 'Pets are family,' Peters said. 'It's important that all family members are cared for, especially in difficult times like this.' The humane society is accepting donations of dog and cat food, kennels, collars, pet bowls, and cleaning supplies (including towels, sheets, buckets and mops). Peters said those wishing to help can visit the Winnipeg Humane Society website. The Manitoba Animal Alliance has also been busy. Volunteers with the rescue organization take care of the animals until they are able to be fostered. 'We've been totally swamped,' said co-ordinator Josee Belanger-Galay. 'Our director has been posting a dog every five minutes.' Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. The organization has taken in about 15 dogs since Saturday and has received hundreds of emails from evacuees whose pets have been refused entry at hotels. Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter executive director Carla Martinelli-Irvine said people have offered their homes. 'It's absolutely incredible how the community has come together,' Martinelli-Irvine said, noting her shelter is full. 'I just hope we can continue to show how much we all care about animals.' Scott BilleckReporter Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade's worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. Read more about Scott. Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Heartbreaking': Pets left behind as Manitobans flee wildfires
Melanie Chudyk of Manitoba Animal Alliance shares how wildfire evacuations are affecting pets and how you can help. Many of Manitoba's wildfire evacuees were forced to leave their animals behind due to limited space on evacuation planes. Melanie Chudyk with the Manitoba Animal Alliance said the majority of pets remain in the evacuated communities and are being cared for by first responders. She added her organization has sent supplies to these communities, with the goal of rescuing the animals in need of care and providing support to pet owners. 'The community of Cross Lake, for example, is a community of about 9,000 people,' she said. 'Right now, there's a couple hundred first responders still in the community who are taking care of thousands of animals.' Chudyk described the situation as 'heartbreaking,' but said she understands that people were faced with extremely difficult decisions. 'I understand that if it comes down to life and death, that if this is an emergency situation, your first priority is getting your immediate family out,' she said. 'Unfortunately, sometimes animals will get left behind.' To help with the situation, the Manitoba Animal Alliance is collecting donations of crates, leashes, and collars. It's also sending hundreds of pounds of food to the evacuated communities. 'We need funds to purchase food. We need funds to send supplies up north,' she said. 'We need volunteers who are willing to pick up animals, meet animal owners with the pet, and who are able to emergency foster them.' Humane Society setting up temporary shelter On Monday, the Winnipeg Humane Society announced it's setting up a temporary shelter at the St. Norbert Community Centre to help wildfire evacuees who fled with their pets. At this shelter, the Humane Society will be able to help about 60 animals, providing them with housing, exercise, and vet care. Families will also have designated visiting hours. The organization expects the shelter will be ready to take in animals by Tuesday morning. · With files from CTV's Rachel Lagacé
