Lloydminster residents will still have their shot to help out local animals by getting “locked up.”
The Lloydminster and District SPCA has announced that they will be going ahead with this year’s Jail and Bail event, but it will look different due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on December 11th. Instead of having people visit the shelter, they’re encouraging potential participants to sign up and get people to pay to “bail them out” virtually, with all the funds going directly back into the SPCA.
Community Outreach Manager for the SPCA Becca Lawerence says this year may see a lower turnout due to there not being a physical event, but they’re keeping an optimistic attitude headed into the Jail & Bail.
“I think that was the fun part for a lot of people was coming in, and giving everybody ‘grief’ about being in the kennels and having fun with it, but we’re hoping our community sees that this is still one of our largest fundraisers of the year, and we really hope that we continue raising a great amount of money. Like I said, we want to remain optimistic, and hopefully, we’ll be surprised.”
The SPCA says the sky is the limit on the number of people who can take part this year, as they won’t be holding the event in the shelter. The list of “inmates” will be hosted online along with ways to donate. In addition to the event, a silent auction will also be held to raise funds for the shelter. Last year, $13,000 was raised towards the shelter’s need.
Lawerence adds that while this fundraiser is the biggest of the year and helps them operate for the next, it becomes especially in focus in times like now, with the SPCA being full to capacity with cats and kittens.
“Typically around Christmas time, that’s when we do see a spike again, with our max capacity post a while ago, typically at this time of year we notice a bit of a lull [in adoptions,] but when it gets closer to Christmas, that’s when people start thinking about their kids and getting a new animal.”
Registration is now open for the Jail and Bail, and people can sign up using the SPCA email or by calling 780-875-2809 to get started.