KW Humane Society needs $2K to pay air fare for pit bulls

Three pit bulls from Waterloo Region have now found homes in Saskatoon, thanks to rescue efforts by staff and volunteers at the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society, who are now turning to the Internet hoping the public can help pay the air fare and medical bills for the animals. 

Due to the province wide pit bull ban in Ontario, pet shelters in Ontario are forced to euthanize the animals if volunteers and staff can't homes for the dogs in other provinces.

In this case, the three dogs were sent by plane to Saskatoon, Sask., where it is legal to own a pit bull.

The K-W Humane Society said it doesn't have the budget to make up for the unexpected expense of flying three dogs to another province, so it has turned to fundraising website GoFundMe.

"I think people understand our unique problem, so they are really going to stand behind us and with out a doubt I really think we will reach our $2,000 goal," Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society Marketing Coordinator Heidi Christensen said. 

However, $2,000 may not be enough. Christensen said late yesterday afternoon a fourth pit bull was brought to the K-W Humane Society.

Christensen said the dog will need to be sent to Saskatchewan as well, noting the shelter has a no-kill policy. 

Anyone who contravenes a 2005 provincial law that prohibits "individuals from owning, breeding, transferring, importing or abandoning pit bulls" risks up six months in jail and a maximum fine of $10,000, if convicted.