I recently visited the Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter (located on remote Kari Road in Wahnapitae) with a friend of mine who decided to adopt two orange tabby cat brothers. The staff on hand was very friendly, knowledgeable, and overall very helpful to my friend during the process.
However …
The fact that I had to skip out on paying rent for two months to pay for the gas needed to drive there from the South End was shocking. But we were prepared. If we hadn't stopped for water prior to our departure from civilization, I fear we would have had to resort to drinking our own urine for as long as our bodies were able to produce it.
As we drove down seemingly endless back country roads, we thought, “Surely we’ve taken a wrong turn.” Were we the oblivious kids at the beginning of every horror movie?
We eventually approached a rickety steel gate that begged us to turn back immediately. Against our better judgment, we decided to proceed with caution still unsure if we were in the right place.
We were then greeted by a building that I can only describe as an oversized chicken coupe that I assume housed the staff and animals (all now zombies, probably).
Why we went any further is beyond me.
Entering the building, I absolutely, 100-per-cent expected to see clanging meat hooks and dried human skeletons throughout.
Luckily, I was wrong.
I tried to call my mother, who had now aged considerably since I departed, to let her know we had arrived safely, but of course, no cell reception whatsoever. How silly of me to assume such a first-world luxury would be available in these parts.
The two living staff members were, again, very helpful as my friend completed the adoption as fast as possible out of fear the building may collapse upon us at any moment.
We left prepared for our six-week journey home, and the two brothers are now safely in their new forever home.
In all seriousness, to the Greater Sudbury staff, I say this: Pet adoption is very important and needs to be more accessible than what you offer at the city-owned shelter. Please truly consider a new location for this facility or at the very least upgrade what you currently have.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my clearly exaggerated story. I hope it brought some light in a funny way to a very real issue in front of you.
Jim Stefanko
Sudbury