When Paula Bissell, a volunteer rescuer for Second Chance Animal Rescue Society, arrives on scene she finds a dog standing with part of its stomach hanging out of his side. The dog had been impaled with a piece of wood. “This is 11 p.m.
When Paula Bissell, a volunteer rescuer for Second Chance Animal Rescue Society, arrives on scene she finds a dog standing with part of its stomach hanging out of his side. The dog had been impaled with a piece of wood.
“This is 11 p.m. at night so there's no vet that's open so it's to the best of my ability to save,” she says.
She wrapped up the wound and took care of the Labrador-mix overnight. In the morning the duo arrive at the vet where the dog is taken care of and she's handed a $7,000 vet bill.
Bissell said rescuing animals that are hurt or injured is common for her. She works in Wabasca, a community in northern Alberta.
On Saturday Bissell enjoyed an afternoon away from her volunteer post. She stood, laughing while dogs dove into kiddie pools at the annual Tails on the Trails fundraiser for the animal rescue society at Lions Park.
The non-profit rescues animals that are homeless or set to be euthanized. The society also takes in abandoned pets, many of which are sick or injured.
Every animal is given medical assessment and any treatment it requires. The society also pays for spay/neutering, vaccinations and microchips every animal that is rescued.
Lori Trudgeon, communications liaison for the society, says vet bills can get expensive so the society relies on donations.
A puppy with parvovirus, a highly contagious viral disease, can cost $5,000 to treat, she said.
In 2016 the society raised a total of $15,000 in donations and had around 1,060 pets adopted.
This year the society wanted to design the fundraiser differently and decided to add a beer garden, with all liquor proceeds going towards the non-profit society. The day kicked off at 4 p.m. with a 45-minute walk and ended with live music.
“We're hoping that this would bring more people out,” she says. “We wanted it to be a festive party.”
Lois Wan, St. Albert resident, decided to walk with her friend, Winnie Wong, in support of the society. Wong adopted a pet through the society two months ago.
Wan, who was unable to adopt a pet due to severe allergies in the family, says when considering purchasing a pet, rescue is the way to go.
“There are so many pets that need good homes and I think sometimes people forget that there's that option,” Wan says. “A rescue dog is a perfect companion.”
The society didn't have the amount raised from Saturday's event by press time.
