As a part of our commitment to giving back to rescue groups, we select two organizations every month to be the recipient of our Buy One Give One (BOGO) program. Our BOGO program is based on online sales from our leash and collar collections  For every collar/leash purchased, one is donated to a rescue group.

We are excited to announce that the Iqualit Humane Society, is our BOGO recipient from March 1st - 15th, 2017 and our first Canadian BOGO partner.  The Iqaluit Humane Society is a registered Canadian non-profit dedicated to saving the lives of animals across Nunavut in the Arctic!  Over the past few years IHS has grown exponentially, bringing in more dogs and cats than ever before. Despite a significant lack of funds, the shelter has continued to do amazing things. But in order for them to keep growing and provide support to more animals in need, they need your help.  

We asked Heather Crowley, the Chair of Grants and Fundraising, a few questions to get us better acquainted with the challenges of running a no-kill shelter in the middle of the arctic.

What is involved in keeping a shelter-based rescue going strong?

We rescue a few hundred animals a year and see dogs as well as cats. It varies on the week how many animals come through the door. Sometimes it is as few as three to as many as 13. Our dogs come from surrenders, at large, and other communities further north.  Since the IHS formed, the organization has rescued over 5,000 animals.

What are some of the things your group is known for?

We are known for rehoming animals and finding creative solutions. Our dog run program flies animals south to Ottawa. The Iqaluit Humane Society and First Air have a partnership that will see the airline transport rescued dogs to and from Iqaluit.

This partnership allows the animal shelter to transport dogs south to the SPCA of Western Quebec, its sponsor shelter in the South, where they are put up for adoption. The IHS is also able to serve more remote communities in Nunavut where First Air flies.

We also provide the city with valuable programs like free spay/neuter clinics and educational programs.

Describe some of the more challenging moments in rescue and how you/the other volunteers got through it.

Some of our biggest challenges are fundraising and making sure every animal has a perfect home. We raise all of our funds through events we hold and keeping the doors open can be tough as we have lots of unexpected vet bills. Also, because we are located near the Arctic Circle, our resources are much more limited and items are much more expensive up north. Up here, a roll of paper towels can cost $5. So we are constantly raising money.

We run on donations and volunteers.  We work month to month, fundraiser to fundraiser, taking it all one step at a time.  We have no government funding or contracts to support us and what we do.  We make every fundraised dollar count and we always make do with whatever we can.  Since experiencing running with staff we have had the opportunity to care for more animals, spend more time rehabilitating the ones that need extra attention, we've been able to manage the additional workload of bringing community animals into our care, caring for animals sometimes several times a day for the young, ill or weak ones.

What is the most rewarding part about volunteering? What would you say to others who are considering volunteering for a group like yours?

Volunteering is rewarding because you are helping your community.

There are many different ways to volunteer and get involved. IHS even has a Runners for Barkers program where folks can come take a shelter dog for a run. If you're a runner why not bring a buddy along?!

Let us know anything else you'd like to share with us.

Please visit us on our website or Facebook at iqaluithumanesociety.com/ or facebook.com/iqaluithumanesociety. We are always looking for item or financial donations to keep us going.

SUPPORT Iqaluit Humane Society with the PBC BOGO!

Help us help the dogs at Iqaluit Humane Society by purchasing a PBC collar and/or leash. From 3/1-15th, we will match purchases of PBC collars & leashes. Shelters are always in need of collars and leashes for their incoming dogs, so here's a chance to help them!

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