Joe McWilliams
Spotlight
Slave Lake’s Animal Rescue Committee is the group putting up a new animal shelter on the north side of Slave Lake.
That project has brought a certain amount of prominence to the organization, but its work in finding homes for abandoned or ownerless dogs and cats is the real meat and potatoes of the ARC story.
“In the last year-and-a-half,” says ARC chair Dennise McIntyre, “we’ve probably put through 100 cats.”
“More than that,” says vice-chair Vanessa Bjornson.
By ‘put through,’ McIntyre means found homes for, after first (in most cases) finding foster homes.
As impressive as that is, they know there are lots more cats out there uncared for. In fact one was brought in just as The Leader showed up at McIntyre’s pet care shop, delaying the interview.
The process of putting dogs into first foster homes and then permanent homes continues as well, although the numbers are much smaller, McIntyre says. To see dogs and cats currently looking for homes (as well as much more information) visit the ARC website, at arcofsl.com.
Getting back to that shelter project. Bjornson says it has pretty much reached the ‘lock-up’ stage. The next phase is to complete the interior, and more money is needed for that. Fundraising continues on a variety of fronts, including direct appeals for donations.
“We rely 100 per cent on donations,” says ARC’s fundraising pamphlet. “Help us help them.”
Another way to help is to participate in the annual Dog Walk, which this year is scheduled for Sunday, May 29.
“It’s our 11th annual,” Bjornson says.
There’s also talk of another ‘Raise the Woof’ event, which would be dinner, a comedy show and live and silent auctions. That’ll be later in the year, Bjornson says, date and location to be announced.
To get involved or to help in any way, contact McIntyre at 780-849-3225 or Bjornson at 780-849-1153, or email info@arcofsl.com.