Seniors’ centre troubles in Ridgetown

The Ridgetown Adult Activity Centre is in a dire financial crisis less than a year after opening its doors.

Members were informed of the situation during a general meeting on March 8 and a follow-up letter.

The new building on Erie Street South opened for activities last July, and an official open house was held in November. A successful building fund campaign allowed the facility to open with no out- standing debt. However, funding to support the centre’s dayto-day operations has fallen well short of expectations.

Animals, particularly household pets, are selfless providers of love and comfort. Those traits are why so many people welcome pets into their lives. Although animals can show their affection in many ways, they are not able to advocate for themselves nor always convey when something is not right, which is why pet owners sometimes have difficulty recognizing when a pet is ill or in pain. They also cannot let the public know when they have been suffering abuse.

They rely on us to watch out for them!

“We are now facing a financial challenge that requires us to take drastic action,” Mary Hill, chair of the board of directors, wrote in an email to its members.

The centre generates revenue from various sources, including grants, membership and program fees, fundraising activities and donations.

The board of directors is exploring ways to increase revenue, including establishing a fundraising committee to find additional grant sources and seek donations and financial support from businesses and individuals in the local community.

One immediate change is shifting operations to a volunteer-operated facility as a temporary measure. Members are being asked to step up and volunteer for the many roles needed to conduct the

WHAT IS ANIMAL CRUELTY?

Animal cruelty generally falls into two categories: neglect, or intentional cruelty. Neglect is the failure to provide adequate water, food, shelter, or necessary care. Examples of neglect include: starvation; dehydration; inadequate shelter; parasite infestations; failure to seek veterinary care when an animal is in need of medical attention; allowing a collar to grow into an animal’s skin; confinement without adequate light, ventilation, space or in unsanitary conditions; and failure to trim hoofs or nails resulting in excessive growth.

Equally disturbing as neglect is the brutality of intentional cruelty, involving deliberate physical harm or injury inflicted on an animal. Regretfully, cases of animals being beaten, burned, poisoned or stabbed to death are not uncommon. Perpetrators of animal cruelty often portray themselves as kindly animal lovers, making it difficult for people to believe them capable of abuse. From the “friendly” neighbour who mistreats his pets behind closed doors, to the “respected” community member who operates a puppy mill or substandard zoo centre’s day-to-day operations and assist in fundraising activities.

The board had to make the difficult decision to place executive director Sharon Alliet, the centre’s only paid employee, on a temporary layoff.

The board of directors has reached out to the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility for guidance.

Any individuals, businesses or service groups interested in donating or volunteering can contact the centre at 519-674-5126.

– there is no one identifying feature that marks a person as capable of committing such unfathomable crimes. Abuse of any animal is upsetting, not only for the pain and suffering inflicted on the animal, but for the fact that animal abuse is often a precursor to human-directed violence and an indicator of family crisis. Untreated, any type of abuse can escalate. Fortunately, if people witness animal cruelty and neglect and report it to organizations with cruelty investigation authority, legal action can be taken. Federal, provincial and municipal laws all cover animal cruelty.