Despite having closed doors since April Heaven Can Wait animal shelter has continued to do the work in the background.

Owner of Heaven Can Wait Kim Hessel says it certainly hasn't been easy but they've done everything they can to keep people safe.

"COVID has hit everyone so hard and we are no exception, We are still closed for walk-in traffic and we have been since April and that's just to be smart and limit any kind of cross-contamination, We are still doing adoptions we just had to change up how to do it. Everything is by appointment now we do a lot more talking on the phone and then when we do schedule someone to come and meet whoever they are meeting we make sure it's done when the property is quiet and most people have gone home. You work around it, its a workaround, we're doing our best to keep ourselves healthy and keep our volunteers healthy and make sure that we aren't putting anyone at risk in the public."

Hessel says they have seen lots of interest from folks wanting to volunteer but have had to turn them down.

"We have had quite a bit of interest from people who do have more free time, its beautiful that they want to help but for right now we are not encouraging new volunteers, we've kept our core people, the ones who've been around forever, know the routine and understand that we need all of us to step-up. We are saying no to volunteers right now but are asking to touch base again in the spring and try to get more people out to help around here then."

The AHS restrictions set in place late November haven't made a huge difference for the shelter according to Hessel.

"There is a little difference in how many people can come to visit, for example, if they are looking to adopt an animal before we could have three family members come to visit but of course that is limited now. I cant say it's made a huge impact because we are already doing so many of those things like masking up at work and limiting the number of people on the property, It's not a huge difference it's just the way it is."

Those who are interested in adoption are encouraged to call Heaven Can Wait.

 

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email news@okotoksonline.com