LITTLE CURRENT – From strays to feral cats, puppies, kittens and the odd injured creature of the wild, all have a place in Bleu Fisher’s heart. Since founding Rainbow Rescue Manitoulin seven years ago, Ms. Fisher has been focussed on rescuing and providing a safe-haven for literally thousands of animals.
“It has been getting bigger and bigger,” said Ms. Fisher, who recalled the day she first became aware of the need for a service such as hers. “Sam and I adopted a male dog in Massey,” she said. “The fellow who had him was crying and said that if we needed anything we could get in touch with him and he would get back to us right away.”
Oddly, though, the dog seemed to have a set of teats.
“The teats just kept getting bigger and bigger,” she said. “We called the guy but he never returned our calls. Lo and behold there were puppies, 10 of them.” Turns out she was a he.
The puppies were eventually adopted out, with a payment of $50 to help defray costs, but that soon proved inadequate. “We eventually brought back six of them,” recalled Ms. Fisher. “That’s when we started to get into rescue.”
Ms. Fisher currently has 22 animals under her care, but most of those won’t likely be headed for a forever home. “There are about 14 who are old, sick, have feline AIDs; they just are not adoptable,” she said. But over the course of a year as many as 200 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies find their way through her service.
“As of the first of January there were 36 adult cats, strays and kittens,” she said. Nearly all have found homes through the network that Ms. Fisher has established, and they come to her largely in the same way. She also works through the Facebook page Manitoulin Pets Reunited, which assists greatly in putting strays back with their families.
Ms. Fisher works closely with other pet rescue organizations across Manitoulin. “When they are full I help them out and they do the same for me,” she said. She has had a lot of experience in training feral cats to domesticated pets, but it isn’t always possible.
Ms. Fisher has built a relationship with the Northeast Town wherein she shares the cost of neutering or spaying feral cats so they do not reproduce. “The town supplies me with $1,500 and I match that,” she said. Thankfully there are donations that come in.
“I can’t say enough about Barney’s,” she said. “They have really helped me out with food and litter. I don’t know what I would do without them. They are a real godsend.”
Rescuing helpless animals is a true labour of love for Ms. Fisher and one she has thrown her heart and soul into. It is a passion she shares with many Islanders and has proven to be bond that crosses many lines.
Those wishing to assist in her efforts can contact Ms. Fisher through her Facebook page.
