Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Big Lakes Animal Care Facility is hosting a Paws For Christmas fundraiser, hoping to raise some funds for the many animals in the Big Lakes County facility.
“Paws for Christmas is our Christmas fund- raiser that gives people in the community a chance to connect with one of our adoptive animals,” says community services and planning assistant Taneille Crooks.
“You can sponsor an animal for a minimum of $50 that will go towards their care (treats, food, toys, vet care) and in return, you will get an ornament specific to the animal that you sponsored.”
The fundraiser is meant to help generate some income to help sustain the shelter, a resource in the community that is continually stretched thin caring for lost or abandoned animals. Crooks says this fundraiser is a great way to connect animals and people in the community.
“We were trying to think of ways that people in the community can connect with our animals and not have to spend money on something they might not necessarily use,” Crooks explains.
“The ornament is donated by one of our staff members and is just a bonus to say thank you to the ones who sponsored an animal this year,” she adds. “The idea is for the sponsor to have a special connection with the specific animal that they chose.”
Crooks says there is just one week left to sign up for the Christmas fundraiser, and adds no animal should spend the holiday season alone in a shelter, but, unfortunately, there are many in their facility that need a little extra attention this holiday season. The Christmas fundraiser gives folks the opportunity to sponsor an animal and to donate a selected amount (minimum of $50). Interested individuals fill out the sign-up sheet, schedule a pick up time for their ornament and then get to spend their Christmas knowing they helped change an animal’s life.
“We currently have 14 dogs and 14 cats in our care,” Crooks says.
“If you could only listen for a day to the number of calls that we get about people finding strays, wanting to surrender litters of puppies, dumped animals in ditches, and abandoned animals at homes that people refuse to care for, then you would understand why spaying and neutering is so important. We turn away so many helpless animals every day because we (along with all the other shelters in the area) just do not have the room.”
Interested parties can visit their Facebook Page, Big Lakes Animal Care Facility, or visit the Big Lakes County office in High Prairie to fill out one of their sign-up sheets.
“We offer taxable receipts for any monetary donations at any time,” Crooks says.
“We always appreciate donations of all kinds, but we find that we go through wet cat food, indestructible dog toys, and dog and cat treats the fastest.”
Crooks notes as soon as they find a new adoptive or foster home for an animal, there is another animal waiting to be taken in for a little refuge and care.
“The smallest of donations can impact and change an animal’s life, your donations are so greatly appreciated and it is so important to us that these animals feel loved not only by the staff but by people in our community,” Crooks stresses, adding she hopes people consider coming to adopt a dog or cat to be part of their home.
“When you adopt from us, you are not only saving the life of the one you choose to adopt, but you are also saving the life of an animal waiting to come into our care. Two lives can be saved by adopting or fostering from us.”
The facility does not currently have any fundraisers in the near future so they are focusing on getting its volunteer program in place which is something they were not able to do before. If you would like to be added to the Big Lakes Animal Care Facility volunteer list, please call (780) 523-5955. They are hoping to schedule an adoption event and fundraiser within the next couple of months, so keep your eyes open.
“We have an adoption application that can be filled out in person or on our website, if we choose to go with the applicant for adoption, we schedule a meet and greet with the animal and applicant to ensure everyone gets along and that it is the right fit,” Crooks says.
“We charge an adoption fee for all our animals which covers their spay/neuter, deworming, and for dogs it also covers their vaccinations,” she adds.
Deadline to participate in the Christmas fundraiser is Dec. 13.