The Regina Humane Society (RHS) held their newest community outreach program Wednesday afternoon, Pet Connection.

The program has the goal of helping to close the service gap that often exists for people and pets in underserved areas of our city.

As part of the program, RHS held a “Pop-up” Microchip Clinic and Pet Pantry at the North Central Family Centre that allowed residents to receive free food, supplies, and education, as well as a chance to get their pets microchipped.

Bill Thorn, the director of marketing and public relations with the Regina Humane Society, said the programs allow them to help people and their pets.

“Not everyone has the opportunity to get extra things for their pet. He said that ” regardless of your economic situation, pets are important to people,” he said. “Our mission is, Yes, we got a shelter where we can look after pets, but our goal is to make it, so they don’t have to come into the shelter at all.”

“We can do it by helping the guardians of pets learn by keeping their pet, good nutrition of their pet, animal care, safety, all of that so that the pet can live a happy life with its family and hopefully never have to enter a shelter,” he continued.

Thorn said it also allows the RHS to get out in the community and touch base with pet owners.

“I love talking to people here. They love their pets just as much as anyone else; economic challenges don’t get in the way of that,” he said. “They love talking about their pets; they tell us their name, their story, where they got them, how they are doing, all that kind of thing. It’s a wonderful thing for us to intermingle with a different part of the community as well.”

Thorn adds that they would like to host similar events regularly in the future.