A message from the Animal Rescue Network

You may have heard of 80 cats that Barbara Lisbona, president of the Animal Rescue Network (ARN) has been housing in Rosemont. As mentioned in the news clip, the premises rented by the president of the ARN, are now considered to be contravening zoning laws. The owner of the property wants the cats moved out as soon as possible.

From the beginning, helping animals in distress 

In addition to running its no-kill shelter, the ARN manages a network of foster homes and provides help to animals in distress. Ms. Lisbona is well known and has been very involved in animal welfare for over 20 years. The president is constantly solicited from the four corners of Montreal, to come to the rescue to animals in need. Given the meagre resources available to citizens to respond to these calls for help, she has acted to find a quick solution to help these cats in need. Given the fact that the ARN’s shelter was at full capacity and foster homes difficult to find rapidly, she  rented the premises in Rosemont. The ARN’s monthly operating costs average $13,000 to cover veterinary costs (sterilization, vaccines, blood tests, exams etc.), medications, rent, electricity, special food, cleaning products, litter etc. It could not therefore provide for this new locale. Ms. Lisbona has been covering the costs of this locale out of her own pocket. She is able to provide the daily care thanks to her dedicated ARN team.

Finding new premises for the 80 cats is complicated and costly. The ARN previously attempted to move it’s no kill shelter (housing up to 300 cats) last winter, but this initiative failed due to the significant costs that could not be raised in donations. Fortunately, the 300 cats housed at the shelter are safe and allowed to stay on the premises which are large, secure and which meet required standards and zoning laws. The funds raised for the move were able to be used to obtain veterinary services for many cats. 

Looking for foster homes

The best solution for the 80 cats is now doubt to place them in permanent or temporary foster homes. Anyone interested in helping out is invited to visit the premises by appointment and meet the cats. And if ready to become a foster home or to adopt, team leaders will be on hand to discuss all the details.

“The ARN’s adoption team provides much needed support and information to ensure that the matchup is a success. I receive amazing advice that helped my cat adapt to its new environment” testimonial from a person who adopted an ARN cat, and who is now an ARN volunteer.

The ARN and its president have helped many citizens, please let’s help the ARN today.  

About the ARN

Established in 1994 and situated in Montreal, the Animal Rescue Network is a non-profit organization whose mission is to find homes for animals it has rescued. Thanks to the devotion of its one hundred volunteers, it manages the largest no-kill shelter in Montreal. Each year more than 250 cats are saved, adopted or are placed in foster homes.

Information :

Carole Tineo

Communications lead

Réseau secours animal / Animal Rescue Network

Communications.rsa.arn@gmail.com

Tie One On For the Dogs

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) launched a teal Choose Adoptionribbon designed to elevate the concept of animal adoption across the country.  The goal of the program is to get more Canadians into shelters and rescues and more adoptable dogs into their forever homes.  At the federal level we are working to educate Canadians so that they understand that adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue group helps save lives, and guarantees that they aren’t unknowingly buying from a cruel puppy mill. Here is  guest blog from CFHS CEO Barbara Cartwright.

Do you love dogs?  I love dogs.  There are countless ways that dogs make our lives better.  They provide us with companionship, with joy, they can take a bad day and make it a good one with the simple wag of a tail.

Dogs also enrich our lives in more profound ways such as the work done by therapy dogs who provide connection and joy for people recovering from illness or in long term care, guide dogs who increase mobility and access for the visually impaired and police dogs who keep us safe.  Recently the public became aware of the great sacrifices that military dogs experience when the Taliban captured the first dog prisoner of war (http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/02/06/taliban-video-shows-captured-special-forces-dog-fate-still-to-be-decided/)

Everyone who has a dog in their lives will know how exceptional dog are.  Which they are.  Every single one of them.  My dog is Hope is exceptional.   She makes my family whole and I can’t imagine how unfinished my life would have seen had she not entered it. 

I adopted Hope 14 years ago.  I was actually given her for free because she was going to be euthanized that day due to a kennel cough she had contracted.  Her leg had already been shaved.  All I know about her is that her “family” had been surrendered to the shelter.  Bits of marijuana were found in her collar. 

I can speculate about her background.  Was she purchased on impulse?  It’s likely.  Did she come from a backyard breeder who didn’t vet buyers and explain to them the needs of a young, energetic black lab puppy? It’s very possible.  Did her first family not provide her with the kind of socialization and exercise she required because they had acted on impulse and didn’t know what they were getting themselves into? It’s very probable considering that the pads of her feet had no calluses on them even though she was over a year old.

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) launched our Choose Adoption ribbon program (http://findingfido.ca/choose-adoption-ribbons/ ) designed to elevate the concept of animal adoption across the country.  By tying a teal Choose Adoption ribbon (http://findingfido.ca/choose-adoption-ribbons/) on your dog’s leash or collar you are identifying them as an adopted animal and raising awareness about the value of giving a home to a shelter dog.

Right now there are thousands of wonderful animals in shelters and rescues waiting for the right person to adopt them. More disturbingly, there are thousands more dogs being raised in puppy mills. A puppy mill refers to a high-volume, sub-standard dog breeding operation that sells dogs to unsuspecting buyers, directly or indirectly.  Dogs in puppy mills often receive substandard health care and live in poor conditions.  They are subject to breeding practices that can lead to genetic defects and hereditary disorders which can cause a dog a lifetime of pain and will cost hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars in veterinary care. Since dog breeders in Canada are not obliged to register no one knows how many puppy mills there are. A conservative estimate would put the number in the hundreds.