News & Events
Kitten Catuday October 7 at Total Pet
Kitten Caturday Saturday October 7 - We will have three litters of kittens in at Total Pet in Smithers. They are hoping to woo folks and win hearts ♥️
A BIG Thank You to Sighard and BV Outdoor Essentials
The results for the 2023 Banff Mountain Film Festival are in....
It’s Back! NWAS Garage Sale September 23!
It's Back! The NWAS annual garage sale will be on Saturday September 23 at the Davidson Hall (Fall Fair Grounds), starting at 8am to approx 1pm....more
Adoption Event September 16-2023 Total Pet
We have so many dogs looking for homes! Watch for more info on this awesome event that will be held September 16th
Please SPAY and NEUTER
Shelters are overrun with cats/kittens and dogs/puppies. The only solution is to spay and neuter pets...more on Why to spay and neuter...
The NWAS Team
These are some of the faces (not all) that make the Northwest Animal Shelter run. It takes a lot of dedication from our Volunteers, Caretakers, and Foster homes ....
Kitten Caturday!
Update: Since Caturday June 3 was such a success, every Saturday in June will be Kitten Caturday at Total Pet! June is also PAW month at Total Pet.
A Huge Thank You to Babine Animal Hospital and Smithers Brewing Co
Huge thank you to Smithers Brewing Co. Babine Animal Hospital, Smithers BC Riverside Kitchen Co. And everyone that came out to this amazing event....more
Babine Animal Hospital and Smithers Brewing Company join forces to help NWAS!
Thank you Babine Animal Hospital and Smithers Brewing Company for supporting animals in the Bulkley Valley with this amazing event - March 4 from 4-8pm!
The NWAS is Hiring
Love animals? We have a job for you!
Adoption Fair at Total Pet - Feb 11-23
We have another fun event coming up on February 11th. This time an adoption event at Total Pet in Smithers! We will have dogs and cats on site and there will be Kissing Booth for you to get photos done with your furry valentine by donation.
Cats are Back at Total Pet!
Come down to Total Pet and meet Asher, Elsa and Keesha who are keen to be adopted into their furever homes! Thank you Total Pet, we are glad to be back.
Pet Photos with Santa! - A Success!
Thanks for the volunteers who put this on, and everyone who supported the event - we raised $844!
NWAS AGM November 28- 7pm at the Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge
Come and join us at the Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge, Monday November 28 at 7pm for the NWAS AGM
Thank you Pawsome Adventures!
Sending a Huge shoutout and thank you to Miake at Pawsome Adventure in Houston for running another successful food drive benefitting NWAS. Pictured with NWAS volunteer Brandy.
Big Thank you to Smithers Feed and Pawlicious PupCakes
All we can say is THANK YOU we have been absolutely blown away by the generosity of our community...more
Why spay your dog?
Why spay your female dog ? You don’t plan to breed her and you watch her when she is in heat, right? You make sure there is no chance of pregnancy ? Well… here is a size comparison for you....more
Lessons in love, loss and life: Thoughts from Bill and Tara
You never know what life has in store for you. You may think you do; I mean you have that great plan and all. That plan based on personal experience, disciplined and consistently applied action and well thought out forecasting. But you know, sometimes life just has other plans.....
Livia - Mother of the Year (so far)
Livia, mother of the year! A family of 4 kittens were orphaned recently when the mom was accidentally killed...more
The stories Solar could tell, if only she could talk….
She is an incredibly sweet cat that had a small strange lump near her rib cage.....
Thank You True North Raw
Thank you so much, True North Raw, for your ongoing support of the Northwest Animal Shelter - we appreciate it so much! 15% of the earnings from the Grab & Go treats gets donated to pets in need, and they are highly recommended by NWAS alumni Josette and Rango.
What happens to the animals that don’t get adopted right away….
People often ask us what happens to the animals in our care when they do not get adopted…here is your answer folks.
Thank You - Betty White Challange
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Betty White Challenge Fundraiser. We raised $8821.65 for the companion animals of the Bulkley Valley and surrounding areas. An extra special thank you goes to Scott and Erin Rowsell of Pro-Tech Forest Resources Ltd and Ryan and Missy Hinds of SilverKing Helicopters for your generous support.
A Hidden Treasure - Shelter dog Gaily
When people are looking for a dog at the shelter they tend to be looking for puppies or young, healthy dogs. But there are many hidden treasures for those lucky enough to find them....more
NWAS Annual General Meeting
Wednesday November 24, 7pm at the Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge. Covid protocols in effect - proof of vaccination and masks required. Seating is limited please confirm attendance to info@nwas.ca
FOSTER homes needed!
NWAS needs your help! Our list of available foster homes is getting very low. We need temporary homes for dogs and cats between Topley and Hazelton. You can have other pets and still foster! Each animal has different needs and requirements. We have some long term fosters and some short term....more
Celebrating 20 Years!
In late May the NWAS celebrated the 20th anniversary of becoming a registered charity. It has taken a lot of people, hard work, and dedication to get to where we are today. It will .... more
Lemonade please….
Iza (10y) and Taylor (8y) wanted to help the animals at the shelter. During the heatwave they came up with the idea ... more
Paw Month at Total Pet!
Did you know it’s Paw Month at Total Pet? They are currently collecting donations for NWAS in store and you can put your (or your pet’s) name on a paw to go in the window! Thank you to everyone who has already donated! They will be collecting until the end of the month.
NWAS Online Auction Fundraiser Finale
Happy Monday Everyone!!! I am happy to announce our Final Total of Funds raised for North West Animal Shelter from this Online Auction....more
Fostering the Runner Litter - Part 4
The title of these articles is a bit misleading now, when Part 1 was posted I was only fostering the 3 Runner kits. Then, to my great relief, Ivy and her 4 kits came along. For four weeks or so, Ivy took over a large part of the kitten care.....more
Fostering the Runner Litter - Part 3
Ivy, the Runners feline foster mother, has been great for the Runners. They are all gaining weight and otherwise benefiting from her nursing and grooming....more
Fostering the Runner Litter - Part 2
A good friend has a strong belief that our thoughts affect our lives, we can choose how we interpret various situations and if we are in need it can be useful to focus on what we want, literally “putting it out to the Universe”. The Runner kittens and I were certainly in need.....more
Fostering the Runner Litter - Part 1
The good thing about modern technology is how easy it is to get in touch with people. The bad thing is how easy it is for people to get in touch. So when the “ping” of a text message sounded at 10.30 pm on a Sunday evening I knew there was a problem, probably with the shelter.
NWAS Online Auction Fundraiser!
Something Super fun and brand new is in the works for North West Animal Shelter! We will be holding our first ever Online Auction! Fundraising has become a bit of a challenge for NWAS during this Pandemic, but our commitment to caring for animals in need, and finding the best furever homes, has never been more important....more
Membership Matters!
Support NWAS in our efforts to help domestic animals in the Bulkley Valley - take out a membership!
NWAS Alumni taking Training with Noel Pepin
The following lucky dogs, all NW alumni, and their dedicated owners took part in the Noel Pepin Canine tracking and obedience classes....more
Rogue Fund Donation
In May, 2020, an extremely generous donation of $50,000 was made to the Northwest Animal Shelter Society, under the Rogue Legacy fund....more
COVID-19 and the Northwest Animal Shelter
In order to protect our staff and volunteers, and continue to be able to assist animals in need in the Bulkley Valley, we are restricting our intake of animals to the most urgent cases only....more
Houston Guns & Hoses Fundraiser
A big thank you to the organizers, volunteers and those who laced up the skates for the Guns & Hoses Hockey game between the Houston RCMP and the Houston Volunteer Fire Department on Family Day....more
Guns & Hoses - Houston
Looking for a fun Family Day activity? You should head to Houston for the Guns and Hoses charity Hockey Game. This year all proceeds will be going to NWAS and we plan to have a representative at the game
Staying Sane in the Cold - by Tara
How Stevie and I are staying sane at -20.....more
Parvo Alert!
Just a reminder to those who have dogs in their lives that there are current cases of Canine Parvovirus in the Bulkley Valley....more
Thank you Outdoor Essentials!
The Banff Mountain Film Festival results are in!
NWAS Garage Sale Huge Success!
Thank you everyone! Our Annual Garage Sale was a huge success.....
Banff Mountain Film Festival
It's back - September 26 at 6:30. Come out and enjoy an evening of amazing films....
Donation in Rogue’s Memory- thank you!
Northwest Animal Shelter is the very grateful recipient of the largest single donation in our history to date....
Results are in - Iron Chef Bulkley Valley All Stars 2019!
The results are in, and the NWAS is the grateful recipient of a whopping $4,500 as our share in the Iron Chef Bulkley Valley All Stars 2019!
Thank you Wetzin’kwa Community Forest Corp!
A big shout out to the Wetzin'kwa Community Forest Corp.....
Northern Animal Groups Hold “Big Build” July 6th to Keep Dogs and Cats Out of the Cold and Heat
In the house with their family is the best shelter for dogs and cats. However, there are still dogs and cats who spend their days and nights outdoors.....more
Disaster Preparedness
The forecast is for a hot dry summer, so some essential tips....
Adventures of a NWAS Volunteer - CATS? byTara
“Yeah, but I’m not a cat person…”
Iron Chef Bulkley Valley 2019
What an amazing night at the Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge last night....
Adoption Fair April 27-19 - Total Pet
Paw Month, come and Meet the animals at Total Pet April 27
Puppy Voodoo (by NWAS volunteer Tara)
Guys.. it happened. A couple of Saturdays ago, my ice-cold, puppy-disliking heart just shattered. Ugh.I wanted this puppy so bad,.....
Gus
Meet GUS. This sweet old man showed up as a stray in Houston. The caring home owner immediately recognized that something wasn't right with poor Gus.....
Happy New Year, and thank you!
The start of a new year is also a time to reflect on the year just passed.....
Tis the Season of Giving
Thank You Total Pet!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. We just cannot say "Thank You" enough to the amazing staff and management at Total Pet in Smithers. This store voluntarily showcases cats that we have available for adoption....
Spotlight on a Foster/Volunteer
My name is Mikayla Adema, I've been a foster mom for almost 6 years. In those 6 years we've had over 25 dogs come and live with us....
Adventures of a NWAS Volunteer THE BIG FAIL
THE BIG FAIL “Okay. OkayOkayOkay. Okay.. OkayOkay.” Not sure why I’m saying this, it’s mostly for my sake. I’d hoped it might calm the excited brown blur in the pen in front of me. This small Pitbull would shoot out like bucking horse in a flurry of ecstatic wiggles when I opened the door, grimacing as her whip-like tail hit her face over and over.....(read more)
The story of Quinn
Free roaming animals and vehicles do not mix well and if ever proof is needed just talk to the Northwest Animal Shelter. In the span of a few months late last summer and fall, we took in 5 dogs and 4 cats with injuries due to motor vehicle accidents, injuries which have meant pain, suffering and major life changes for the animals and huge vet bills for the shelter....
The Power Litter
The “Power litter” were given strong names, Electra, Diesel, Hydro, Wind, Nuke, Geo and Solar as they needed all the help they could get just to survive....
Adventures of a NWAS Volunteer
An indescribable, never previously scientifically documented smell has invaded my nostrils.....
Support NWAS - Canada Helps Fundraiser to Help with Veterinary bills
Another call or email, a dog has been injured and had to be dragged off the road. Can we help? ... read more...
Porter update
Thanks NWAS supporters!
Bulkley Valley Insurance BBQ Fundraiser - Thanks so much!
Thanks to Bulkley Valley Insurance Services (BVIS) for organizing a fundraiser BBQ for the NWAS! We received a much needed $1,375 from this event.
Thank You Total Pet!
Store manager Janet and Kathy presented the NWAS with a cheque for $1,662.23, raised during their Pet Appreciation month last April!
Wetzin’kwa Community Grant
In 2013 the NWAS received a grant from the Wetzin'Kwa Community Forest Corporation to construct an Isolation/Wash Unit, where at risk animals can be segregated and animals cleaned as needed. The Community Grant Program was established to distribute profits from the operation of the Wetzin'kwa Community Forest tenure back into the community.
Royal Bank Day of Service - they aren’t kidding!
NWAS was the recipient of the Royal Bank Day of Service grant! On June 1, 9 volunteers came to the shelter to work, and did they ever! Grass was cut, slash loaded on a trailer, painting, fencing, and general cleanup. A big thank you to Tara, Raeleen, Lisa, Tina, Shawn, Ian, Adele, Don and Ada - pictured above with Tooley, NWAS dog available for adoption.
Mansi’s Story - A small dog in need
Mansi came into NW's care on Feb 4th, mat bound and scared after a number of winter months running loose in the country unable to be caught. Sadly her litermate disappeared, probably the victim of predators. Mansi spent a full month in foster care rebuilding her confidence and getting back to who she really is.
Roscoe’s Story
Roscoe came into our care with an old injury to his front leg that was not going to be an easy fix. It was suggested that extensive physiotherapy, including water therapy, might help, so we decided it would be best to get him south where there were more resources available. We, and more importantly Roscoe, had an amazing advocate agree to accept him into care.
Shelter property progress report
The NWAS had an exceptionally busy summer and fall 2012, developing the shelter property and moving our portable kennels and fencing out. Much work had to be done, from clearing trees, leveling the property, putting in the water line and hydro. The kennel buildings were moved to the property, as was the Atco trailer purchased last spring
Steti Transport donates gravel and sand to the Shelter!
A big thank you to Steffen Apperloo of Steti Transport for donating multiple loads of sand a gravel to the shelter property this fall!
Smithers Rugby Club scrums for the Animals!
The Smithers Rugby Club helped out at the shelter property clearing slash, stumps and firewood. A BIG thank you to Martin Hughes, Deric Belke, Cheryl Gilbert, Matt Mazurek and Ben Harris for volunteering! A lot was accomplished in one afternoon (would have taken us a looooong time
Garage Sale Wrap 2012
Thank you to everyone who helped us with the garage sale. We made well over $3000.00 again this year. A huge thanks to those who donated and dropped by the sale, and all the volunteers that helped out! Rayla helped out again, raising almost $400 for the cause with her donation bucket! She certainly deserved her rest.NWAS buys property: Press Release
SMITHERS, B.C (June 21, 2012) - The Northwest Animal Shelter Society is one step closer to its goal of opening a permanent animal shelter in the Smithers area. They recently closed on the purchase of two parcels of land, equaling nearly 10 acres of property. The new site is within easy driving distance from Smithers, has road access, is fully serviced and has the required zoning for a shelter.