Many Ponoka residents are aware that Old MacDonald Kennels not only provides a temporary home for their beloved pets, but is also a no kill shelter for stray dogs.
The company is working on its annual fundraiser to bring much-needed supplies to help with the operations of the shelter, which can see a large amount of dogs depending on the season. Employee Hayley Catterall said there are three facets of their operations: boarding, animal services and the shelter for adoptions.
“The boarding kind of pays for the long-term care,” explained Catterall.
The organization makes a conscious decision to keep the animals alive and find homes for them, which also creates a challenge ensuring there is enough food and medical care for the animal. At times, the 23 kennels at the shelter will be completely full. More recently, the kennel had quite a few puppies that needed homes and Catterall says they all found homes leaving only nine dogs looking for a new home.
While dealing with stray dogs has its challenges, Catterall said there is an overarching reward when the dogs have been healed and have overcome their issues. “Some have come into our care with really big issues.”
To help with those challenges the kennel will take financial donations as well as blankets, towels, food, bleach and laundry detergent.
“The cash donations are needed for any animals in medical distress or to spay or neuter them,” explained Laurie Lovelace, the fundraiser organizer for the kennel.
She added that helping the dogs and seeing such improvement is a rewarding experience. “It seems that they come back to life again.”
One of the best ways to decide if adopting a dog will work for a family is to bring everyone in to see the animal. Lovelace suggests people should use that opportunity to get to know the dog and if they have another dog at home to bring them in to the kennel to meet each other.
“It’s going to make a tremendous difference in that animal’s life, and in your life,” explained Lovelace of the process.
For more information call Lovelace at 403-304-9806 or the kennel at 403-783-7447.