SHAID

With the holidays fast approaching, households across the community are preparing for visitors, decorations, special foods, and festive cheer. But the holiday season also brings hidden hazards for our furry family members.

SHAID’s Community Pet Pantry helps families in needs

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As temperatures drop, life becomes increasingly difficult for stray and abandoned cats in our community. Without reliable shelter, food, or warmth, many struggle to survive the winter. At SHAID, we see firsthand how vulnerable these animals are — and how important community support is in helping them get the second chance they deserve.

At SHAID Tree Animal Shelter, every rescue tells a story — and Esmeralda, a stunning six-month-old medium-haired torbie (tortoiseshell-tabby mix), is one of the latest happy endings in progress.

At SHAID Tree Animal Shelter, kitten season is still in full swing — and the shelter is full of tiny paws, playful energy, and plenty of purrs. While it may be tempting to fall in love with just one adorable kitten, adopting a pair often leads to happier, healthier cats — and more peaceful homes for their adopters.

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter is opening its doors to the public for its annual open house on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 950 Mullock Road, Whynott’s Settlement — and everyone is invited to join the fun!

Get ready for a purrfectly spooky good time! SHAID Tree Animal Shelter is hosting its Howl-o-ween Paw-ty on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Woof Pack K9 Lifestyle Centre (1190 Conquerall Mills Rd) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This fun-filled “Howl-o-ween” celebration promises an afternoon of costumes, games, treats, and community spirit — all in support of the animals who need it most.

When a stray cat named Misty arrived at SHAID Animal Shelter with her two surviving kittens, it was clear she wasn’t feeling her best. Along with the challenges of life on the streets, Misty showed signs of an uncommon feline condition called Plasma Cell Pododermatitis, more commonly known as “pillowfoot.”

Just like people, cats nutritional needs change as they age. A food that kept your playful kitten healthy may not provide the right balance once your cat reaches their golden years. Knowing when, and why to transition your feline friend to a senior diet can help them stay healthier, longer.

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new 50/50 raffle through Rafflebox, with the first draw running from Sept. 8-29, 2025. This fun fundraiser gives community members a chance to win big – while making a life-changing difference for local animals in need.

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter is proud to announce an exciting new chapter in its mission to support animal welfare in Lunenburg and Queens Counties: the launch of a fully foster-based dog program.

At SHAID Animal Shelter, we see countless cats in need of homes each year, and one of the most important ways to reduce this demand is through spaying and neutering. While kittens are undeniably adorable, the sheer number of unwanted litters leads to shelters being overwhelmed and many cats struggling to find safe, loving homes.

The unconditional love and companionship our pets offer are immeasurable, making them cherished members of our families. But what happens to them when life circumstances change drastically – when an owner passes away, falls ill, or faces unforeseen challenges like homelessness?

Dental disease is one of the most common, and often overlooked, health issues in cats. Cats are experts at hiding pain, which means many live with dental disease long before anyone notices something is wrong.

If you've ever had a bad cold, you know just how miserable it can feel. Now imagine that same discomfort but with no way to communicate it. For many cats, that’s what a feline upper respiratory infection (URI) feels like – sneezing, congestion, runny eyes, and a lack of appetite.

While February is dental health month for pets, it should be front and center all year long – just like with humans!

Here at SHAID Tree Animal Shelter, we are spreading the love for our shelter animals this February!

Here at SHAID Tree Animal Shelter, we ended 2024 with the birth of nine beagle puppies in one of our amazing foster homes, and then started off 2025 with a bang, and the birth of three lab mix puppies in another amazing foster home.

Going into the holidays, we had seven senior cats (all between the ages of nine and 14 years old) looking for their new retirement homes after their owners had either passed away, or had moved into assisted living facilities.

At the end of November, two beagles were relinquished to our shelter; a two-year-old male and a one and a half-year-old female who was very pregnant.

Another year has come to a close here at SHAID Tree Animal Shelter, and we wanted to share some highlights with our amazing and supportive community

Here at SHAID Tree Animal Shelter, we wanted to share some helpful holiday hints to help keep your furry family members safe during the festivities. From food and flowers to electronics and the decorated Christmas tree, there are potential hazards everywhere to avoid an emergency vet visit.

Here at SHAID Tree Animal Shelter, we get asked many questions. Some are easy, like “How do you not take every animal home?!”

Timber and Roxy were a pair of beagles whose owner bred them and then realized she couldn’t afford to keep them.

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter is all decked out for the holidays and all our resident pets are hoping to find their forever homes.

A few weeks ago, we introduced you to Daisy and Diesel, two six-year-old Doberman/beagle mixes, who were abandoned by their owner when they moved out of province.

One of SHAID Tree Animal Shelter’s biggest annual fundraisers is our Firefighters for Felines calendars.

Oct. 30, we received a phone call from a woman who was on our animal intake waiting list. She wanted to update us on a kitten born to a feral mom in a barn. She said his head was swollen, he couldn’t walk, and his mom had taken the rest of his siblings and moved, leaving him cold and hungry.

Daisy and Diesel are two six-year-old canine siblings who, up until very recently, lived with their owner in Springfield, Lunenburg County.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system of cats. Historically, cats who tested positive for the virus were euthanized upon diagnosis, however, thanks to modern day research it’s now understood that FeLV positive cats can live normal, healthy and happy lives with the potential of a shortened life span.

We are nearing the end of October, and it is safe to say this will again be

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter is open to the public Tuesdays

Here at SHAID Tree Animal Shelter, ‘kitten season’ is still