From time to time we hear of horrific animal abuse stories and we wonder how humans could be so cruel to the furry, four-legged creatures in our world.
Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS), a non-profit, no-kill rescue group operating in central and northern Alberta, has seen it all.
There was Chipmunk, an injured dog found tied with a bungee cord wrapped around her neck.
“It was so tight, it was wrapped into her flesh and it was infected,” says Mike Cunnington.
He is one of the organizers for the seventh annual SCARS Tails on the Trails, a yearly fundraising event coming to Lions Park on Saturday, June 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is a five-kilometre walk for dog owners and their pooches along the banks of the Sturgeon River, accompanied by live entertainment, vendors, demonstrations and prizes.
Cunnington relates another story of a dog put in a bag and beaten.
“Its face was completely disfigured. The nose was broken and its teeth driven up into the roof of its mouth. Every time she ate, she’d breathe food through her nose.”
This dog was rescued a year ago and has had multiple surgeries to reconstruct its face. Despite the extensive work (more is planned), the animal can only be fed bit by bit from a person’s hand.
Since SCARS was formed in 2002 to alleviate the suffering of abandoned animals, the organization of dedicated volunteers has rescued about 3,500 strays from abuse and neglect.
They are placed in volunteer foster homes providing them with a warm shelter, food, exercise and most importantly loving care — something many have never experienced. Once the tail-waggers are healthy and ready to be integrated into family life, they are adopted.
Tracy Cole and Burgundy Goodwin are two St. Albert foster mums that have opened their home to SCARS mutts. “For me, I can’t cry and whine and not do something about it. I have nightmares about these cruelties and this brings me peace,” says Goodwin.
Not only is Goodwin a local foster mum, she also makes runs up to Wabasca and Calling Lake, two areas with a large neglected canine population.
Tango, one of her Calling Lake rescue pups, a six-moth-old wheaten terrier cross running loose was so timid it took two hours to entice him into a crate. His mother, Cash, also a rescue, had gotten pregnant and like many area bitches was left to fend for herself.
“The families throw them out like garbage. We take them in and do our best to make them healthy.” Tango and Cash were lucky. Tango’s more skittish siblings eluded capture and are still roaming.
Cole has actually adopted one of her rescues, Olie, a four-year-old, eight-pound Maltese cross. He was surrendered to a veterinarian with a broken right leg. If SCARS had not stepped up to pay for the medical bills, Olie would have been euthanized.
“He’s very loving and wants nothing more than a cuddle in your lap,” Cole says.
Her first foster was Buttercup, an eight-week-old puppy found by the side of a highway with her back end smashed in. She had a broken thighbone and a broken pelvis. Both back legs were also broken.
“Fostering opened my eyes to how horrible animals can be treated,” Cole says. “But I’ve also learned the wonderful side of humanity when a dog picks a family and a family picks a dog. Three adults from Fort McMurray turned into a puddle of love when Buttercup climbed in their lap.”
While SCARS is frank about its rescues’ backgrounds, its ultimate goal is to link families with compatible dogs and ultimately spread some joy.
Last year the walkathon generated $30,000. About 80 per cent of the money went directly to veterinary bills and transportation from northern communities while the remainder was used to run a small office.
For more information on the walkathon, pledge forms and adoptable dogs, visit www.scarescare.org.
