Animal Haven Rescue League (AHRL) kickstarted the new year with a week-long bottle drive Monday, Jan. 4 to raise funds for some of its urgent needs, primary among them being veterinary expenses.
With 11 dogs, including five very young puppies and 19 cats, among which seven are kittens, a lot of veterinary expenses are in order.
"There will be spay/neuter procedures that are needed in the next couple of months as well as vaccinations that need to be updated," said Michelle Fisher, treasurer and cat foster coordinator of the organization. "If and when we intake more animals, they all need to be checked by the veterinarian before being placed with fosters and may need spay/neuters as well and our vet bills range anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000 per month, depending on our intake."
According to Fisher, the most important needs right now are finding more foster homes so that AHRL can help more animals in need.
"Funding is also required to help with not only our vet costs but so that we may help the community with education, a spay/neuter clinic or training for their animals," said Fisher. "We need volunteers to help us with things like driving animals to the vet, participating in fundraising events and creating awareness via online platforms, such as our website and Facebook."
With AHRL being a non-profit, the organization does not qualify for a lot of grants, which makes fundraising imperative.
"We have worked security at local events, bartended at weddings, held bottle drives and sold various items such as Vesey bulbs all in an tempt to fundraise," said Fisher. "We are planning on doing the paperwork for a casino so that we would not only have money to fund our day-to-day bills but we are also able to have some money as a sort of cushion for emergencies, such as animals requiring surgery like leg amputation."
With AHRL unable to participate in a casino for three years, fundraising is need of the hour and they are always on the look out for volunteers to help with the ideas.
AHRL will hold their annual general meeting on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Stettler Board of Trade meeting room. All are welcome.