A new building is under construction for the St. George Animal Shelter.
The shelter operates inside the veterinary clinic and is entirely volunteer-based including its board of directors.
“Our mission is to promote animal welfare for the benefit of the public by rescuing stray, abandoned or surrendered animals,” said Rebecca Eldridge, who sits on the board.
The number of animals, she explained, has increased by more than 30 per cent every year since 2023. It currently serves all of Charlotte County, but also Saint John, where shelters are at capacity.
“We have no physical space of our own to house these animals, so … we are running a full-time operation inside the St. George Veterinary Clinic, which is also expanding and will require the space they’ve been generous enough to give us over the years.”
Eldridge said it is difficult to keep enough foster families available for pets coming through the doors.
In 2025, she told Eastern Charlotte council, they launched their Almost Home Capital Campaign. Dr. Melanie Eagan donated 5.6 hectares (14 acres) of land to help build a permanent shelter.
“With the help from the community, we’re hoping to get our building built by the fall of this year,” she said.
She said the challenge of building the shelter is one thing; keeping the lights on is another.
“We aim to hire a shelter manager on a full-time basis and potentially some support staff if funding allows,” Eldridge told the council. “A new facility means higher costs for electricity, water, heating, and general maintenance.”
Eldridge and president of the board Sherry Eldridge asked the council for some support in the operational costs of the shelter.
“We feel that an investment in our shelter isn’t just about saving animals; it’s about strengthening the fabric of our community one adoption at a time,” she said.
Anyone who wishes to donate can do so and be provided a tax receipt. In-person donations can be brought to the St. George Veterinary Clinic, through e-transfer at stgeorge.animalshelter@gmail.com, send a cheque by mail to 4 Pawprint Lane, St. George, E5C 0K3 or by visiting the website here.
