ESTEVAN — The Estevan Humane Society is gearing up for its eighth annual Kingston Midstream Whiskers and Wine Gala, a major fundraising event set to take place on Feb. 15 at the Estevan Exhibition Hall. The gala raises funds to help the shelter continue its mission of caring for unhomed and abandoned animals.
Guests at this year’s gala can look forward to a night of entertainment, great food and charitable giving. Estevan musician Conner Piche will kick off the evening, followed by a performance from award-winning recording artist Teagan Littlechief of the White Bear First Nations.
"We try to do something a little more local, and somebody [up-and-coming] and a bigger name to help draw the crowd and so people know what to expect," said Tayja Lakusta, president of the Estevan Humane Society.
Alongside live music, the event will feature a silent auction with a variety of donated items. Attendees will also enjoy a meal by EB’s Catering.
Lakusta noted that while previous years featured a wine pull, this aspect of the fundraiser is being saved for an upcoming Ladies’ Night event in May.
Tickets for Whiskers and Wine are still available, with five tables remaining at the time of the interview.
"We haven't sold out yet, which is on par for what we were last year," said Lakusta. "So we've got five tables left to sell that we'll sell either by the ticket or by the whole table."
Individual tickets are priced at $95, while a table of eight can be purchased for $700. Those interested can buy tickets via the Estevan Humane Society Facebook page or by contacting Lakusta directly at 306-421-5970.
The Estevan Humane Society, a no-kill shelter, relies fully on community support to sustain its operations. Lakusta acknowledged the generosity of local businesses and residents who have donated silent auction items or contributed as sponsors.
"There's been a lot of fundraising efforts out there right now, it's a busy time of year for everybody," she said. "We've got hockey tournaments going on, there's been a lot of medical fundraisers on as well at the same time, but the community that is able to step up is stepping up and donating."
The shelter currently houses several long-term dogs in need of permanent homes.
"We have a set of long-term dogs that we're hoping that 2025 will be their year to get their forever homes found," Lakusta said.
Cats at the shelter are also doing well, and staff are appreciating a temporary break from kitten season. However, the colder months bring different challenges.
"With winter comes the cold, and then there's a whole new set of needs," she explained. "But at least it's more so current animals, not, 'Oh, we found a bunch of new babies.'"
Big changes are on the horizon for the Estevan Humane Society as they prepare for much-needed shelter renovations in the spring.
"We're planning and underway for our renovations here, hoping to take place in the spring," Lakusta said. "Our biggest need with that is we just need to find a contractor that has time and is able to start focusing on that in the spring."
Renovations will be conducted room by room to minimize disruption for the animals.
"We do have the ability to move the dogs from one room to the other room while their room gets renovated, and then move them back," she explained. "We're also hoping foster homes, for the most part, can help, especially with our long-term dogs."
While renovations are funded through previous donations, money raised at the Whiskers and Wine Gala will go toward day-to-day operations, including veterinary care, food and shelter maintenance.
The gala will also shine a spotlight on some of the shelter’s longest-staying animals, a tradition that successfully led to adoption last year.
"We have posters of all our long-term dogs that will be up and around there that evening," Lakusta said.
With just over a week until the event, Lakusta encouraged Estevan residents to gather their friends and support a great cause.
"Find [seven] friends and come hang out with us for the night for a good cause," she said.
