The warm temperatures that caused melting in Portage la Prairie this past weekend has left Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Inc. under water.

Christine Dack and Staci Creighton of PAWS say the melting caused substantial amounts of flooding at the former city pound — located at 121 12th St. NE — significantly reducing the amount of space available for animals and causing volunteer staff to work constantly to control flooding.

“The cats aren't getting out to have their exercise like they should be,” Dack says. “And it's a lot of work for our volunteers, and that's taking away time from the animals. Which is what we're there for: the animals.”

Dack says, thankfully, all the animals are perfectly fine despite the water issue at the building.

“They're not drowning, they're still happy,” she says. “They just might be a little upset they don't get to play as much.”

According to Creighton, water issues have affected the PAWS building for about the past year. The organization is working on upgrading its space to address the flood problem, but needs to fund-raise to accommodate the costs of installing weeping tile or developing a new building.

The hope is, a larger space will allow PAWS to increase its service and even provide temporary shelter for dogs. Currently, dogs have to be placed immediately in foster homes because of the lack of space at the current adoption centre.

“The building that we have, there are so many issues with it,” Dack says. “You've got not only the water coming in, but the whole building is falling apart. It's not a good building.”

“It worked temporarily, but we need something different.”

Both Creighton and Dack say supporting fundraising efforts to help renovate or build a new space would help make sure all animals in need in the Portage la Prairie area are taken care of.

“Everyday we hear a story (about our animals) that makes us want to cry. And that's just here in our community,” Dack says. “If we can do something to help stop that and help the animals, we're going to do it.”

“... and we can't save the animals without every single person that helps us.”

According to PAWS' website, the organization works to improve the quality of life of stray and abandoned companion animals in the City and RM of Portage la Prairie. Contributions to help support PAWS can be made by clicking here.