New P.E.I. Humane Society radio show helps with pet education

September 21, 2023

Jordan Hennebury adopted a cat from the P.E.I. Humane Society. She said it helped to improve her mental health. (Reegan MacAulay)

Jordan Hennebury felt something was missing when she moved into her new Stratford apartment. She had many four-legged friends during her childhood. She started the search for a pet.

“It felt very lonely. I checked a couple different places and I didn’t feel comfortable going to a non-reputable source, at least right off the bat.”

Hennebury went to PetSmart in Charlottetown during lunch time. In a litter of four, there was a cat named Apollo. She asked about him. He was a timid and shy barn cat that hadn’t socialized well, according to the PetSmart workers.

Hennebury asked the employees how to go about adopting. They put her in contact with the P.E.I. Humane Society and Hennebury filled an online application.

Hennebury got a call a few days later and signed paperwork. Apollo was hers. He was happy and healthy – or so it seemed.

A few weeks after the adoption, Hennebury received a call from the humane society.

“My dad got one of (Apollo’s) sisters and it turned out the kitten he adopted had worms. The humane society contacted me and told me to take Apollo back in, and they treated him right then and there, did everything for me, and sent me home with the doses to keep doing (the treatment).”

Three years later, Hennebury still has Apollo and has since adopted two more cats.

She is one of many pet owners who can now ask for advice from the humane society, which started a new radio show.

“It’s cool. There are a lot of blind adoptions that happen where people don’t fully understand the extent of what you’re getting into, bringing a pet into your household. I feel like not a lot of people are aware that it’s a lifetime commitment.”

Communications Coordinator Ashley Travis said similar words in a prior interview.

“We knew we needed something to answer questions for the public. We knew that part of our mandate was to help provide public education and how we, as pet owners, can better improve the lives of our pets and what services are available on the island to help make that happen.”

The show has had two phone-in shows so far and has helped about 10 people.

“We got a lot of questions about nutrition. We see a lot of animals that are either receiving inadequate nutrition or are overweight because of malnutrition in some form,” Travis said.

Ashley Travis is the host of ‘Paws and Reflect’ every Wednesday morning, a new P.E.I. Humane Society local radio show offering pet advice and education. (Reegan MacAulay)

Having cats to come home to is exciting for Hennebury.

“They help a lot. I struggle a lot with mental health. When I come home at the end of the day, the three of them are waiting at the door.

“Having the pets, another source of life, makes the apartment feel like home. They basically run the apartment; I’ve solely made it for them so they can live their best life.”

She continues to praise the humane society for its help.

“They’re very helpful for any questions you have. They make sure you don’t get a cat that will get health issues later. My dad has three cats, two of them from the humane society. We’ve always adopted from them.

“I think it’s great we have an association like it on the island that is willing and will help with open arms.”

Paws and Reflect is live every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m., alternating between MAX 93.1 and 95.1 FM CFCY.