The Fort Smith Animal Shelter faces a potential closure unless the town provides direct funding, the town council was informed on Tuesday. Alana McGrath, the shelter’s departing manager, requested a $54,000 annual contract during the September 1 council meeting to support a part-time manager. McGrath emphasized the necessity of paid staff to sustain the 41-year-old volunteer-operated facility and address the town’s dog control challenges effectively.
Over the past year, the shelter, serving approximately 2,500 residents in South Slave, admitted 38 animals and allocated over $40,000 towards veterinary services, spaying, neutering, and vaccinations. Following McGrath’s appeal, the council motioned for town administration to devise potential solutions for the shelter’s future in an upcoming session.
McGrath, a full-time nurse juggling hospital shifts with shelter responsibilities, expressed exhaustion due to volunteer burnout. She highlighted the ongoing struggle to recruit volunteers and stressed the need for paid staff to cover weekday shifts, allowing volunteers to manage evenings and weekends. McGrath cited neighboring communities like Hay River and Yellowknife, which rely on municipal contracts to operate their animal shelters efficiently.
Former manager Robyn Brown previously petitioned for paid staff and an updated animal bylaw with community support, but town leaders cited concerns about potential tax hikes and took no immediate action. McGrath challenged this reasoning, urging officials to explore alternative cost-saving measures rather than burdening volunteers further.
Mayor Dana Fergusson acknowledged the shelter’s vital community role, especially with budget discussions approaching. The council anticipates reviewing an updated animal control bylaw soon, as announced by senior administrative officer Daniel Henderson during the meeting.
McGrath warned that without continued support, the town may confront difficult decisions regarding stray animals, emphasizing the importance of ongoing funding to prevent a potential increase in euthanasia cases. The fate of the shelter now rests in the hands of town officials, who must decide between sustaining the facility or facing the consequences of its closure.