February is the month for Valentine’s Day but it’s also the month for some of the harshest weather in our province. The Second Chance Animal Rescue Society always has its thoughts on stray and abandoned animals.
Giving them permanent homes doesn’t always happen overnight, which is why the Athabasca-based organization is so keen on getting people to agree to open their doors if only for a short while.
SCARS is hosting a volunteer orientation tonight for people interested in operating a temporary loving foster home for these dogs and cats.
“The climate and elements of living in the north are obvious to all of us each and every day, but most of us get to finish out the day indoors, warm, and if lucky with friends or family, dogs in pounds or strays do not,” explained operations manager and media co-ordinator Terra MacLean.
SCARS took in 860 animals (including 236 felines and 624 canines) and re-homed 865 animals, of which 246 were felines and 619 were canines, all just in 2014 alone.
Since the start of January, SCARS has taken in 59 unwanted or abandoned companion animals, finding homes for 56 of them and transferring another seven to other agencies. Foster homes help to get these animals out of the cold and on the road to finding forever families. They provide warm shelter, food, exercise and love to get them healthy and prepared to be adopted out permanently.
“Our training and orientation evening will give you an inside look into the roles, importance, and responsibilities of a SCARS foster home, as well as an interesting look into the inner workings of canine behaviour.”
SCARS’ main objective is to take in animals that would otherwise be euthanized at municipal pounds and it is active within communities to promote responsible companion animal guardianship by promoting spaying and neutering, vaccinations, micro-chipping and training. It is dedicated to reducing the number of homeless and abandoned animals in Northern Alberta.
The orientation takes place tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Pet Therapy Society located at 14620 111th Ave. in Edmonton. No pre-registration is required. Attendees will receive the Foster Home Level 1 Dog Training Course for free.
Email [email protected] with concerns or questions. Call 780-466-SCAR (7227) or visit www.scarscare.ca for more information.
It also hosts a series of semi-monthly adoption events, the next ones slated for Feb. 28 at Sadie's K9 Stay & Play (8521 Argyll Road in Edmonton), March 8 at the Pet Therapy Society, and March 28 again at Sadie's K9 Stay & Play.
