The Revelstoke & District Humane Society (RDHS) returned last Saturday, May 10, with it's paw-pular spring Art Bark silent auction fundraiser, after taking a rain check on the event in 2024.

A non-profit formed in 2003 that shelters Revelstoke's unhoused cats and dogs, RDHS has held Art Bark for several years to finance its volunteer-run work spaying, neutering, vaccinating, feeding and cleaning the community's four-footed furry friends.

RDHS president Leanne Harasym said the event which happened this year 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knights of Pythias Castle Hall with live music by Revelstoke's Sadie Baker, raised about $5,000 when it was last held in 2023.

"We believe in everyone having access to pets," Harasym said, with RDHS helping animal-loving community members cover costs for spays and neuters, as well as emergency pet operations. "It's going to be way cheaper. We don't want to be charging $1,000 for a breeder or something."

She explained RDHS can comfortably fit about a dozen cats in its shelter spaces, also working with the city's bylaw office next door to house dogs, and sees variable intake each year.

"It ranges so much from 20 cats and a couple dogs," Harasym said, noting RDHS focuses on supporting strays. "A lot of them do come with other health concerns after living on the streets."

The shelter's low-income program for spaying and neutering animals supports families in continuing to be caretakers, with Harasym estimating a standard procedure costing about $1,000. Other surgeries may also come up more spontaneously, and Harasym added there's important emphasis on ensuring pets experience a smooth transition amid being moved between residence, shelter and the outdoors.

"That's a really stressful environment, to go from a living home to a shelter," she said.

One celebrated volunteer and exhibiting artist, 13-year-old Abril, has single-handedly raised thousands of dollars for RDHS since first participating at Art Bark when she was seven, according to Harasym.

Next on RDHS's events agenda this year is its Pictures with Santa fundraiser, which includes raffles, bake sales and Christmas card workshops and now happens a little earlier in the year.

"We do it in November because Santa gets busy in December," Harasym laughed, noting the $20 per person photos welcome far more than just cats and dogs. "We've had bunnies and chickens and rats ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½” one time there was a pony."

Learn more about RDHS at .