Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue is hoping to establish a permanent animal shelter in the city.

President Michelle Neufeld says they have been around about three years. What started as a Facebook group where lost and found animals were posted, is today an incorporated organization in need of space.

Neufeld says at this point they would take whatever they can get their hands on. She says the shelter would have separate areas for dogs and cats. There would be an intake area and quarantine area.

According to Neufeld, in 2014 they adopted 29 cats and 5 dogs. Last year, those numbers jumped to 42 cats, 7 dogs and 2 rabbits. So far in 2016, they are at 30 cats, 4 dogs and 1 rabbit. In addition to that, there are 11 cats and 1 dog currently in care, which will be up for adoption in the near future. Neufeld says they have fewer than one dozen foster homes and can only take in as many animals as there is foster availability.

"We literally get sometimes multiple calls a day and emails and we can't act on them all because we don't have room, we don't have space, we just rely on foster homes," notes Neufeld.

Neufeld explains they have tried setting money aside to be used towards opening a shelter. But she says in 2015, they raised approximately $19,000 through fundraisers and 80% of that money went towards pet care, including medical supplies and food. Neufeld says local veterinarians have been supportive by supplying medical care.

Neufeld says unwanted animals are a nuisance to the community. She says they can spread parasites and diseases to residents, and there is the possibility of injuries from bites.

"People don't want stray animals in their yard doing their business," adds Neufeld. "It's scary for children too if there is all of a sudden a stray dog wandering on the yard you don't know if it's friendly or not."

Neufeld says without a proper facility to house unwanted animals, it is difficult to provide these animals with the medical care, appropriate food, water and shelter and a safe environment to prevent injury and disease.

Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue has sent a letter to City Council requesting support for establishment of a permanent shelter. But Neufeld says though she knows they have received the letter, they have yet to respond.