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Book sale raises funds for Animal Haven

Every available surface in the Wm. E. Hay cafeteria was covered in books on Saturday, Sept. 17, as Animal Haven Rescue League held its...
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Penni Doucette

Every available surface in the Wm. E. Hay cafeteria was covered in books on Saturday, Sept. 17, as Animal Haven Rescue League held its first-ever book sale fundraiser.

The books were donated by Sylvia Thacker, the owner of the now-closed used bookstore Elephants in the Attic. The thousands of books, ranging anywhere from romance and mystery to cookbooks and self-improvement guides, were popular for the people who thronged to the event.

According to Penni Doucette, one of the volunteers with Animal Haven, about 20,000-30,000 books were unpacked, placed on tables, on the floor in boxes, and on whatever surface volunteers could find.

The special star of the day was Luna, a shepherd-cross that had been surrendered to Animal Haven earlier this year. Shortly after taking in Luna, the animal rescue discovered she was pregnant. Along came 10 puppies — five girls and five boys — who were on show at the book sale for most of the day.

The event raised about $1,300 for the non-profit, according to Michelle Fisher, secretary- treasurer for the organization.

"It was a very labour-intensive event," Fisher said of unpacking the books and then repacking those left unsold. "I remember when we opened the storage (shed) and there were just boxes of books, all the way to the ceiling. My jaw dropped."

Another $300 was donated by Lee Swainston. The roofer ran a fundraiser where he'd donate $100 from each of the roofing jobs that signed up, and three had signed up specifically for the fundraiser, Fisher explained.

Luna, her 10 puppies and Milo, a 3 1/2 shepherd-husky mix, are the only hounds in Animal Haven's care at the moment, but the organization is fostering 13 cats that need a home.

"People seem to think cats are disposable," Fisher said. "But these animals need love and shelter and care just like dogs do."

The organization had a significant amount of books left unsold at the night, and some were left at the Take It or Leave It depot at the Stettler Transfer site, and some were donated to the rummage sale coming up later this month. However, the majority of the books went back into storage, as the books' donor, Thacker, hopes to help other rescues with book sales as well, Fisher said.

The non-profit is one of three animal rescues that run in the Stettler area, with Donalda Animal Rescue and Saving Grace Animal Sanctuary being the other two.