Border Paws Animal Shelter Society found homes for 337 animals in 2025 – a 10 per cent increase over the year before – while navigating rising costs, complex medical cases, and the loss of several surrounding municipal contracts.
Amanda Williams presented the shelter’s annual report to Lloydminster’s Governance and Priorities Committee Monday, painting a picture of an organization delivering results under pressure.
“This growth represents the continued support of our community, the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and the success of our adoption and outreach initiatives,” Williams said.
The shelter admitted 502 animals in total last year. The largest share – 306 animals, or 61 per cent of all intake – were strays originating within Lloydminster. Of those, 195 were cats and 111 were dogs. Another 29 animals were owner-surrendered, 31 cats were born in care, 62 were transferred in from other organizations, and 74 came from surrounding municipalities.
Beyond adoptions, Border Paws reunited 128 animals with their owners. All animals adopted out were spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter.
Border Paws – Money Picture
The shelter ended 2025 with an operating deficit of approximately $85,000 – down from $90,000 the year before, a modest but meaningful improvement given the financial headwinds the organization faced.
Funding came from multiple streams: donations made up 45 per cent, grants 20 per cent, adoptions 14 per cent, the city’s poundkeeper contract and grant 12 per cent, and sponsorships and reclaim fees the remaining nine per cent.
The shelter charges a $20-per-day boarding fee for extended holds, but Williams was candid about how often it’s actually collected.
“The circumstances that we’re running into a lot of the time are those owners usually can’t or won’t pay,” she said. “At the end of the day, the goal is to reunite those owners with their animals because sometimes that’s all they have.”
A fee adjustment to municipal service agreements – necessary to keep pace with rising costs – led some surrounding municipalities to walk away from their contracts. Williams estimated the lost revenue at between $50,000 and $80,000.
“That’s a huge chunk,” said Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson.
Williams acknowledged the bind: raising fees was necessary given the deficit, but losing contracts reduced intake from those areas while fixed staffing costs remained largely the same.
Border Paws – Operational pressures
The shelter flagged several growing challenges in 2025. Intake volume from Lloydminster and surrounding areas continued to strain kennel capacity and staffing. More animals are arriving with complex medical needs – injuries, dental disease, skin conditions, and age-related issues – requiring extended veterinary care and longer stays before adoption.
Behavioural support demands also grew, with more dogs requiring dedicated training and assessment before they were ready for placement.
The shelter’s pet food bank program saw noticeably higher demand in 2025, reflecting economic pressure on pet owners across the region.
Animals without identification are held a minimum of 72 hours before entering the adoption stream. When an owner is known or an animal is identifiable, holds are commonly extended to five to 10 days – and longer when owners are dealing with hospitalization, involvement with the justice system, or participation in recovery programs.
What’s next at Border Paws
Border Paws owns its building and recently regained full use of the space after a long-term tenant vacated at the end of February. Williams told council the shelter is exploring new revenue-generating services for that portion of the facility.
“Border Paws is looking at adding additional services to help increase our revenue streams,” she said.
The shelter’s largest annual fundraiser remains its Jail and Bail event each December. Williams said additional fundraisers are planned through the fall.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers thanked Williams and the shelter’s staff, board, and volunteers for their work, noting Border Paws serves as a resource not just for animals but for residents navigating difficult life circumstances.
Read more: Lloydminster council: homelessness, fire on agenda
What does “navigating the justice system” mean? A criminal’s dog is held indefinitely for free if they are incarcerated? That sounds bunk.