Southern Alberta dog rescue in dire need of supplies, donations

A southern Alberta dog rescue is under risk of closing its doors due to lack of support. This is especially bad news for the animals, given how low temperatures can get in our province.

To say that Dawn MacDonald loves dogs is an understatement.  Two years ago, she sold her house and moved in with her daughter to focus her resources on running a dog rescue full time. MacDonald visits struggling communities to assist them with their overpopulation of canines. She says that dogs are allowed to run free in rural communities, which allows them to pack easily. This makes them dangerous to the community.  According to MacDonald, there was a recent incident in Manitoba where a 15-year old girl was attacked and so, a cull was ordered.

According to MacDonald, when cullings are ordered, the animals are rounded up and then shot. She says that the attack of the adolescent girl led to a culling where over 100 dogs were killed in a northern Manitoba community before rescue operations were allowed to save the remaining that were left living. At time of publishing, Bridge City News was unable to get a response from the Manitoba community which ordered the culling.  However, Lethbridge veterinarian Dr. Ian Gibson shared with us the dangers of stray dogs forming packs.

Close to 800 dogs have been rescued and adopted since the Almost Home Canine Rescue came into operation two years ago. However the shelter is under continuous threat of closing down due to lack of supplies and finances.  The desperate need for help reached far enough to get the attention of a Canadian country recording artist.

Julian Austin and his band have decided to organize a fundraising event in Calgary, with the proceeds benefitting the shelter.  Austin says he hopes to raise a much-needed $25,000 for the organization.

The Almost Home Canine Rescue has support from volunteers that share MacDonald’s love for animals.  However according to her workers, it is MacDonald who has an unmatched fervour for dogs. Even with a fundraising event in the works, MacDonald says there is an immediate need for help.  She is asking for donations of puppy food, pee pads, gifts-in-kind, or cash donations.She says her veterinary bills alone cost approximately $20,000 per month. Contributions can be dropped off at the shelter, or made online at almosthomeyyc.com.