Pet-lodging facilities may need support while evacuees find refuge in Kamloops

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Beatty said the reception centre handled about 350 files over the B.C. Day long weekend. 

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“That has to do with extensions of current [evacuation] orders, as well as transition of services,” Beatty said. “And that can look like somebody that was normally staying in a hotel who decides to go stay with a family member and then is eligible for that e-transfer.” 

Government funding is available for eligible evacuees. 

“A lot of people can sign up to the BC Service App,” Beatty said. “They can get those funds transferred via electronic transfer or come to the reception centre here and see what supports are offered. They’re around the basic needs of evacuating a community in a time of need. A lot of it has to do with clothing essentials, food and making sure that folks can feed themselves, as well as have a bed to rest their head in.”   

There were in excess of 160 beds available at the ESS group lodging facility at McArthur Island over the long weekend. Beatty said between six and 10 people used group lodging in the city. 

“With the limited hotel capacity – and I’m not saying there isn’t any hotel capacity – we try to get those evacuees into hotels for the duration of their order,” Beatty said. “If we can’t meet that, then the alternate option is group lodging.”