The Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) has seen a steep increase in its need for services over the last few years.

In 2023, the society helped save more than 2,500 animals with its rescue and pet assistance programs. So far in 2024, the need for that program has doubled, and the pet assistance program need has tripled, according to Romany Runnalls, president and board of directors for the Okanagan Humane Society.

鈥淲e have seen a big increase of animals coming into our care in the last few years, many being referred from shelters that will not intake them,鈥� said Runnalls.

OHS is a non-profit that is supported by volunteer fosters, many of which have up to 200 animals in care at any given time.

鈥淥ur program is foster-based to reduce costs of staff and overhead along with a very strong working relationship with local veterinarian partners and the community to work together to save as many animals as we can in the Okanagan,鈥� explained Runnalls.

In order to support the many animals in need throughout the Okanagan, OHS has launched a fundraising initiative called the Raffle to Rescue Animals and is hoping to raise $60,000.

鈥淲e are excited to launch our raffle to raise much-needed funds,鈥� said Marni Adams the fund development advisor at OHS. 鈥淲e have some great donated prizes including a pair of diamond earrings from Premier Jewelry and Loans, a Revelstoke getaway donated by Jane Hoffman Realty and a wine weekend getaway to Osoyoos donated by Spirit Ridge along with a couple of early bird cash prize chances.鈥�

There are three additional ways to give during this time, including supporting the emergency medical fund where all donations will be matched by Dale Mayer of Valley Publishing up to $10,000, supporting a dog or puppy where all donations will be matched by Colleen Dickson up to $5,000 and support a cat or kitten where all donations will be matched by Ron Schlenker up to $5,000.

According to OHS, the average cost of care for a medical emergency is $2,500, the average cost to care for a dog is $500 and the average cost for a cat is $250.

To purchase your raffle tickets or donate to OHS, visit trellis.org/ohs-raffle-2024.

OHS is a local charity that has been serving the Okanagan region for more than 28 years. The non-profit has spayed or neutered and treated more than 30,000 animals since inception from Osoyoos to the Shuswap.

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