Drumheller’s Humane Society has eight surrendered kittens in their care. On top, Olive sits guarding her three kittens, (l-r) Daisy, Ryanne, and Eva.  
 

Drumheller has experienced a problem with stray animals in the past, and the trend still continues.
    Animal support systems, like the Valley Vet, Humane Society, and By-Law Services in Drumheller, have been given a large responsibility as they strive to protect a desperate situation.
    Kelcy Travis has worked with the Drumheller Humane Society for two years and, over the summer months, has seen increasing numbers of stray animals and surrenders to the shelter.
    “We get constant calls of strays and found cats. When we get strays in, that’s what makes it difficult for us, because it’s so much more costly. They have to be tested for S.I.V., which is the feline version of H.I.V., and it’s pretty rampant in stray cats, especially if they’re more feral. When we get a cat in and it’s a stray, we have to go above and beyond our normal procedure,” says Travis.
    The Humane Society had six kittens surrendered to the shelter recently. When the group was dropped off, staff learnt that the mother was feral, and from there, the kittens were placed in quarantine and treated as strays.
    “We always try to help. If we can treat them and get them a home, we don’t want to say no because we don’t know what people could do with them, they could just be dumped off somewhere. So it definitely is a problem, and people often when they turn it over to us, they think it’s our responsibility,” Travis explains.
    The Humane Society, on average, takes in 3-5 dogs and 11 cats a month.
    Along with Drumheller’s Humane Society, By-Law enforcement also takes care of stray animal alerts. Greg Peters handles most cases, and in many situations, ends up fostering the animals found without a home.
    “Generally, we know that with the warmer weather, we have cat traps out in a number of places for a variety of reasons, and on top of that, we usually come across a few dogs a month,” Peters says. “I just want everyone to be responsible and recognize that owning a pet is a commitment. You owe it to the animal to give it the best treatment you can,” Peters says. 
    The numbers of stray animals in Drumheller aren’t expected to decrease any time soon.
    If a stray is found, contact Drumheller Humane Society at 403-823-8999, or Greg Peters with By-Law Services 403-823-1363.

Alberta Health Services has a heat advisory in effect for Drumheller through to Sunday evening.
    Due to elevated temperatures, the following precautions are advised:
•    Apply a sunscreen of at least sun protection factor (SPF) 30, at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors.  Be sure the SPF 30 screens out both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply frequently (as directed on product label).
•    Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated.
•    Take frequent breaks from heat, spending time indoors at cooled public buildings (including malls or indoor pools).
•    Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle.  
•    Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses (with a UVA/UVB CSA certified seal).
•    Wear light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and pants that cover skin.
•    Consider rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day.

    Residents and visitors should monitor for symptoms of heat stroke, including high body temperature, lack of sweat, disorientation, fainting, and unconsciousness.

“If you start to feel overheated, stop your activity immediately, seek shade and drink fluids,” advises Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Medical Officer of Health for Alberta Health Services’ Central Zone.
    AHS advises for anyone feeling faint to seek medical attention, and remove outing  clothing and shoes and wrap in a wet towel until medical care can be provided.