It took a lot of pastries to help a group of local pooches, but Stettler’s Scotiabank managed to raise $2,000 from a bake sale to help Animal Haven Rescue.
“The community is important to us and we pick a different charity every year,” Samantha Templeton, the Stettler branch manager, said after presenting the cheque Dec. 23 to the animal rescue group.
“We are all animal lovers.”
The funds will help rescue more dogs, said Candis Willis, the treasurer of the Animal Haven Rescue.
In 2013, the group found homes for 70 rescued dogs and cats, compared with about 40 the year before.
The organization still needs to adopt out 16 dogs and five cats, and there’s a waiting list of animals to rescue that are at other shelters, said Adrienne Copeland, the president of Animal Haven Rescue.
And, because the group doesn’t have a facility, all the dogs and cats are living in volunteers’ residences until a home is found, Copeland said.
The animal charity also works with the Alberta Spay and Neuter Taskforce, which holds clinics to spay, neuter, and vaccinate dogs and cats on native reserves in Alberta free of charge. The First Nations communities help fund those clinics.
Animal Haven Rescue is in “desperate need” of foster families for dogs and cats until a permanent home is found for them. Foster homes for pets receive food and equipment needed for the animals.
There’s also a Guardian Angel Program where individuals can sponsor a homeless animal by pledging money each month to help pay for the pet’s supplies, veterinary bills and necessary items.
Donated items, such as cat litter, food, good- condition collars, leashes, toys and crates are always welcome.
Anyone wanting to help, or donate, can call 403-741-6128.