THUNDER BAY -- Raising $200,000 to build a local spay and neuter clinic is a lofty goal but the Thunder Bay & District Humane Society plans to hold fundraisers almost every weekend through the summer to get there.
The "Take The Lead" campaign to build the only such clinic between North Bay and Winnipeg began in February and has already raised over $35,000.
Attendance at Saturday's vendor's market wasn't overwhelming but spirits were high at the North Thunder Community Centre about meeting the fundraising goal and having shovels in the ground to build the new clinic by fall.
"In Northwestern Ontario, we do see an overabundance of homeless domestic animals," said Melanie Blanchette, the humane society's executive director.
"It's more of a problem here because of the lack of accessible veterinary services, the lack of affordable spay and neuter services to several of the remote communities, the northern communities, all of Northwestern Ontario."
The humane society has been offering half-price adoption rates for dogs and cats this week as it attempts to manage overflow in its animal shelter. The rates will continue through July 5.
"It has put a small dent in the number s but I think we're sitting at maybe 120 animals in the building instead of 130," Blanchette said. "If we could get that under 100, that would be manageable."
Blanchette is most looking forward to the humane society's Car & Dog Wash event at Marostica Motors on July 25.
