by Betty Bardswich
MINDEMOYA—Islanders were happy to learn in 2015 that an umbrella organization, Manitoulin Pet Rescue, had started up for Manitoulin. The idea for the association came from Holly Scott of Mindemoya and she, along with Spring Bay resident Julie McDermid, spoke to The Expositor.
“We wanted to support and assist the existing local pet rescues,” Ms. Scott, who manages the finances of the group, said. “And to take responsibility for our local needs, to make it easier for the people of Manitoulin to adopt a healthy, spayed or neutered pet, intervene in cases of animal abuse and to use the local resources for managing the pet rescue work.
They explained that Manitoulin Pet Rescue is a volunteer operated, not-for-profit charitable organization with the goal of rescuing and re-homing the unwanted or displaced dogs and cats of Manitoulin Island. The first dog rescue came in late September 2015 and shortly after came the first cat rescue.
The purpose of the organization is to place dogs and cats into caring and committed foster homes to assess each animal individually for their needs in order to find them permanent, responsible ‘forever homes.’ The members of the group work closely with two other volunteer groups which are Fixing Our Felines and PetSave Manitoulin. As Ms. McDermid explained, the new organization shares resources, fosters and experience and knowledge with the existing groups.
Manitoulin Pet Rescue is sustained by public donations and adoption and surrender fees. All money goes directly into the care of the animals in the program whose members are waiting for a registered charity number as they have received notice from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that it is pending. Once the number is received, the organization will be able to issue tax receipts for all donations. All monies donated can be brought to Scott’s Veterinary Services or The Island Animal Hospital, as well as Kat’s Pet Supply in Mindemoya.
All the animals coming into the program are fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered, wormed, defleaed and receive a complete health check. It can cost up to $500 for each dog before they are ready for adoption and the cost for cats can range from $200 to $250 so donations are badly needed and much appreciated.
The adoption fees are $300 for each dog and $180 for each cat, although special rates may be given for different circumstances.
“We wanted to support and assist the existing local pet rescues,” Ms. Scott said
Manitoulin Pet Rescue is looking for help with the care of animals. This includes fundraising volunteers, drivers to transport dogs or cats to medical appointments or to their foster home and fosters.
There are a few people already fostering for the organization including Matt Elgie and Donna Boyer Briglio, both of Gore Bay.
“Matt was our first foster,” Ms. McDermid said. “He fostered Maska, the first dog that came into our program. Matt is wonderful with dogs and has a very calming energy.” In speaking of the rescue of cats, Ms. McDermid explained that Ms. Boyer Briglio, “Rescues feral/stray cats all the time and has a huge heart for all animals. She recently just came on board to foster for us and live trapped an entire litter of kittens and their mother and we have since adopted out all the kittens. She is a real treasure to have as part of our foster team.”
Since the rescue is foster-based, there isn’t a pet location. To adopt a dog or cat or to rehome a family pet, contact Julie McDermid at 705-377-4800 for dog intake or Kathy Jewell for cat intake at 705-377-4121. Manitoulin Pet Rescue also has a Facebook page.
