The Hinton and area SPCA is bringing several dogs and cats to Jasper in an attempt to clear a backlog of animals at the new facility.

The event, called Jasper Pets for People, will take place at the Jasper Veterinary clinic on Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to Hinton and area SPCA Vice President Cathy Thomas, Jasperites are the number one adopters of pets from the Hinton and area SPCA, whose range stretches from Edmonton to Kamloops, and north to Grande Cache.

“Jasper is a dog-loving town,” Thomas said.

“People can come in and people can look at the animals, take them for a walk, ask some questions,” said animal health technician Nicole Klopfenstein.

It also gives the community a chance to take responsibility for its own pet population issues, Klopfenstein said, as the community does contribute to the number of animals at the Hinton SPCA.

Several of the 23 cats who were recently discovered in a one bedroom apartment in Cavell will be available for adoption. The event will also provide educational opportunities for the public, which includes information about caring for a pet, vaccinations and the importance of spaying and neutering your pet.

“Even though Jasper adopts a lot of those animals, some come from Jasper as well,” Klopfenstein said.

“Jasper adopts animals, but it’s important to show it’s not perfect.”

Klopfenstein said about half the dogs she treats are from the Hinton and area SPCA, or other SPCAs. Animals picked up by Jasper Bylaw frequently end up at the Hinton SPCA. Bylaw often holds animals for weeks, attempting to adopt animals before they get sent to Hinton.

Three to four dogs and four or five cats will be up for adoption on the day, which will also serve as a fund raiser for the SPCA. Even if they aren’t sure they want a pet, the public is asked to come and drop off bottles that can in turn be used for donation.

The vet clinic and the SPCA hope to turn the event into a regular occurrence.

Parks Canada spokesperson Marci Dewandel said there are not prohibitions for an SPCA to operate in a national park, noting that land costs are likely a reason the town doesn’t have its own SPCA.