People are returning home to Hay River following the lifting of the mandatory evacuation and now, the hope is that pets can also return home.

The Hay River Animal Shelter has been busier than normal over the last couple of weeks trying to house and rescue pets who were found by those who stayed behind.

Kori Bourne, owner and manager of the animal shelter, said several volunteers stepped up to help housing those animals that came into its care with lots of help from the NWT SPCA as well.

SA国际影视传媒淣WTSPCA was instrumental in helping us find accommodation for our cats and a couple of dogs that went to Yellowknife with a couple of volunteers during the initial evacuation,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Bourne said six of those rescued cats were given rabies vaccinations while in care, something that only happens when a travelling veterinarian comes to town every six weeks or so.

Pets from the KSA国际影视传媒檃tlSA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation were among those rescued as well and Bourne said the Hay River Fire Department helped with those animals.

SA国际影视传媒淢ost pets that were left behind were rounded up by a couple of volunteers from the fire department SA国际影视传媒� ones they were able to catch or safely access SA国际影视传媒� and they were brought to the shelter or went into a foster home,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Both the shelter and NWT SPCA in Yellowknife housed however many animals it could, but it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 possible to get every animal under their roofs.

Bourne said kennels and pet day cares in both Hay River and Yellowknife played a huge role on making sure rescued animals were kept safe.

SA国际影视传媒淟eon and Leslie Bouchard with Paws-a-Lot in Hay River, Mona Asels with her kennel facility in Hay River, and Linda and Garth Carman with their big garage to help with cats in Hay River,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淏orealis Kennels and Qimmiq Kennels in Yellowknife also helped.SA国际影视传媒�

The Carmans eventually moved the cats to another building just outside of town with Elliot Merz-Wood, Bourne added, but they were always kept safe.

Plenty of help was also received from people in town, she added.

SA国际影视传媒淲e received a lot of help from businesses with donations of pet food, as well as donations from community members of Hay River and support from the Hay River Animal Welfare Society,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Bourne said most of the cats and some dogs have been re-united with their owners, while those still in foster care will remain there until itSA国际影视传媒檚 safe for their owners to return home.

It was a stressful time for volunteers, she added, but working together made all the difference.

SA国际影视传媒淲e all worked together and communicated together as much as we could during this stressful time,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e helped each other out and it has made the difference in ensuring all the animal needs were met.SA国际影视传媒�