SUPPORT
ADOPT
PROTECT
LEARN
LOVE
COMPASSION
.
GOOD KARMA
A CHS WARRIOR + HER SEVEN PUPPIES
SEPARATION ANXIETY
LEAVING A LEGACY THE GOUDIE FAMILY
+ HOW TO DEAL WITH IT
HUMANE EDUCATION GOES VIRTUAL
Spring/Summer 2021
EVENT SCHEDULE DOG JOG
A walk or jog to end animal cruelty Registration opens March 31st, 2021 Virtual walk or jog - June 5th, 2021
PAW-GUST
Host your own COVID-friendly fundraiser for the animals! August 2021
INDEX
COCKTAILS FOR CRITTERS
Virtual (TBD) Gala Event Saturday, October 2nd, 2021
CHRISTMAS FOR THE ANIMALS December 2021
Welcome to Connecting Lives - a magazine on the lives of the animals and people of Calgary Humane Society. Connecting Lives Magazine Editors Jessica Bohrson + Carrie Fritz Designer + Illustrator Sarah Gregory Contributors Abbey Leach, Andrew Durling, Anna-Lee Rieb, Brad Nichols, Carolina Serrano, Carrie Fritz, Derrick Woo, Jessica Bohrson, Kara Dowhaniuk, Kelsey Morrison-Fischer, Lisa Olund, Maja Krol, Patrick Chu, Rae Fehr, Sally Johnston, Sandra Wong, Sarah Gregory and Tiarra Keim. ©2021 by Calgary Humane Society. Permission to reprint articles, artwork or photographs must be obtained from the editor. Calgary Humane Society 4455 110 Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2C 2T7 Switchboard Phone: (403) 205-4455 Fax: (403) 723-6050 calgaryhumane.ca
3.
WHY VIRTUAL TRAINING CLASSES?
4.
DOG JOG & PAW-GUST FUN!
5.
CHS FACILITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
Donations + Events Phone: (403) 723-6000
6.
LEGACY DONOR STORY: JOHN AND AUDREY GOUDIE
Executive Director Carrie Fritz
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HUMANE EDUCATION GOES VIRTUAL
9.
CHS KIDS’ CORNER
Your generosity and support are what make our work possible.
10.
GOOD KARMA
12.
DONOR HIGHLIGHT: YOUTH GIVING
13.
HOW TO COMBAT SEPARATION ANXIETY
Connecting Lives is published by Calgary Humane Society.
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‘100 FOR 100’ COMMUNITY MURAL PROJECT
Our GST registration number is 11882-3632 RT0001.
15.
CHS 2020: YEAR-AT-A-GLANCE
16.
HAPPY TAILS: BARKLEY DURLING
For further information, please contact Calgary Humane Society 4455 – 110th Avenue SE Calgary Alberta T2C 2T7 (403) 205-4455.
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FOSTER PARENT HIGHLIGHT: REXY’S STORY
19.
PROTECTION AND INVESTIGATION UPDATES
Charitable Registration # 118823632RR0001 Our mission: To help as many animals as we can
Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40011037 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Calgary Humane Society 4455 – 110 Ave. SE Calgary, AB T2C 2T7 webmaster@calgaryhumane.ca
THE BEST REASONS TO ATTEND VIRTUAL DOG CLASSES
Save commute time
Wear what you like
Low distraction enviroment
No strangers or strange dogs
The pantry is nearby
Fun for the entire family
Your instructor is right there with you
See the instructor’s dog
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
3
VIRTUAL
Join us for a virtual walk or jog against animal cruelty and help raise crucial funding to help the animals. This year we will be celebrating our 20th annual Dog Jog, which makes this event a must-attend!
Registration opens March 31st! By participating in this fundraising event, you are joining a community that is committed to supporting the animals. The funds that you help us raise through Dog Jog will contribute to funding life-changing programs for cruelty prevention, humane education, rehabilitation and ultimately, a new beginning for animals in need.
The virtual event will be hosted on Saturday, June 5th! In 2020, we saw over 175 participants across Canada, and even in the U.K., collectively raise over $72,000 to help us end animal cruelty! Sound like something you would like to be a part of? Participate virtually through our online Dog Jog platform (mobile and desktop-friendly) Join us for a collective virtual walk or jog against animal cruelty from your own community Collect donations online and track your progress through your own fundraising page Lots of great prizes to be won! Walk or jog with us on June 5th, 2021. Together, we can help end animal cruelty. Register today by visiting calgaryhumane.ca!
WELCOME TO PAW-GUST! At Calgary Humane Society, the month of August will now be referred to as PAW-GUST! PAW-GUST is a time to celebrate the thousands of animals that are saved, rehabilitated and connected with new homes every year! We invite you to celebrate with us by organizing a fundraiser to help feed the animals at CHS. Being an openadmission shelter means we never say no or turn an animal away. Every year we see a great number of unique and challenging animals, from complex medical cases to difficult behavioural needs. No matter the situation, the one thing that every animal that comes through our doors requires is a nutritious bowl of food - and you can help! Safely bring together your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to help feed the animals this PAW-GUST! Starting on June 17th, you can register your PAW-GUST fundraiser through our website and access your own fundraising page. This page can be personalized and used to send emails, collect donations and track your fundraising progress. It is the perfect tool to support your COVID-friendly event or online fundraiser.
Photograph by Derrick Woo
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Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
Watch the CHS website for more details about PAW-GUST and get inspired with COVID-friendly fundraising ideas!
CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES
BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE WHERE WE ARE AS OF MARCH 2021 On the exterior of Calgary Humane Society: The structure for the new additions has been erected. Hoarding is up, and heat has been blown in to remove the frost from the ground so new electricity, mechanical and plumbing can be roughed in. In the coming weeks, exterior walls for the three additions will be framed in. The next big exterior push is to get the roof on before we see rainfall in May and June, which could slow us down! Drains in the indoor / outdoor kennels Renovations Underway - February 2021
Dog kennels
On the interior of Calgary Humane Society: Preparation for our new dog kennels and the dog isolation ward continues! So begins the installation of new water lines and rough-in’s for mechanical and electrical components to support our new and improved dog facilities. On the design side: The new dog kennel designs are complete. The new clinic and surgery suite design is nearing completion. New cat kennels are underway. Finally, the CHS Board of Directors has approved additional funding for heated concrete slabs for the dog runs. This means the indoor/outdoor dog kennels can be used year-round! So even in cold and snowy weather, our dogs can still enjoy their outdoor time!
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
5
LEGACY GIVING WHAT DOES YOUR STORY LOOK LIKE?
I
f you were to think of your life as a story in a book, how would you lay out your chapters? Would each chapter be a decade, a significant moment or would you simply blend your story into one long tale? However you wish to tell your story, it is certain to have a beginning and an end. Have you considered how the final chapters of your book will look? What kind of lasting legacy would you like to leave? Does it include everyone who is special in your life, such as Calgary Humane Society? For John and Audrey Goudie, animals were always an important part of their lives and they wanted their legacy to include the animals at Calgary Humane Society. This is their story. John Goudie was a native Calgarian who worked in the pipeline industry. Both John and his wife, Audrey, were avid travellers, who would often take their cat Tootoo, and later Cocoa, with them on their journeys. With his love of animals, John volunteered as a Board member for Calgary Humane Society where he gained an in-depth understanding of the important work of the Humane Society and the endless effort that goes into protecting and caring for animals. “They were well aware of the importance and role that the Humane Society serves in Calgary,” recalls Gary Homer, a previous colleague and friend of John’s. In 1968, tragedy found the Goudie family with the loss of their beloved daughter, Adrienne, who was only fourteen years old at the time of her death. Adrienne’s passing was devastating to John and Audrey and they took comfort in their large circle of friends, and in their animals. As a form of healing, they set up a bursary in Adrienne’s name and began to plan their estate so they could give to a cause that was near and dear to them both – and that was Calgary Humane Society. Their long-time family friend, Shelley Sproule said that “It was their joint intention to leave this legacy and help give animals the love and support they so desperately needed.” Family friend and caregiver, Susan Klaiman added to their intentions by saying “Mr. and Mrs. Goudie understood that by leaving their estate to Calgary Humane Society, they would help provide care
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Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
for animals, create awareness of the many services CHS provides and encourage others to donate to their cause through an auction.” Audrey Goudie passed away in 2014, followed by John in January of 2020 and their entire estate was bequeathed to Calgary Humane Society. Through their many years of travelling, the Goudie’s built an extensive collection of art, antiques and collectables, which were professionally auctioned through Frank Hall Estate Sales. The proceeds from the sale came to Calgary Humane Society to help the animals in our care. Calgary Humane Society is truly grateful for the incredible legacy gift from John and Audrey Goudie. Their legacy story continues to support the welfare of vulnerable animals in our community. If you wish to continue your passion to help animals later in your story, please contact Rae Fehr by phone at: (403) 723-6001 or by email at: rae.fehr@calgaryhumane.ca.
Photograph by Derrick Woo
HUMANE EDUCATION GOES VIRTUAL!
A
s we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly apparent that we must find adaptive and creative ways to stay connected with our community. This ranges from family and friends, to educators and other professionals. It is important that we can continue to connect and socialize with others, but also continue learning important information that affects our community. To this end, Calgary Humane Society has been working diligently to create an accessible virtual Humane Education program that will continue our vision of “using innovative strategies to lead, inspire and educate in the humane treatment of animals and foster an enlightened community which consistently demonstrates respect and compassion for animals”. Calgary Humane Society recognizes the importance of educational programs during a time when it is most needed for our community and the pets that reside here. Therefore, we have created an online platform that can be utilized by teachers, at-home learners, community groups and anyone who helps to educate youth. This is a fun and engaging way for youth to connect with animals and learn about them during a time where they 8
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
may not be having any interaction with animals. We understand that the more knowledge our youth can gain by building compassion, empathy and respect for animals, the more we will see this in our community as these young people become adults. Due to the ongoing pandemic, young people have been missing the opportunity to engage and interact with the animals in the shelter’s care and we have built these programs to help bridge this gap. Our virtual program encompasses four different subjects, including: how our shelter operates and what we do; ways to properly interact with animals and provide them appropriate care; respecting urban wildlife; and exploring careers with animals. The virtual education subscription comes with four filmed presentations; a pre-recorded virtual tour; Zoom question and answer sessions; animal spotlights and guests; activities; and many additional resources. This can be purchased as a four-month subscription or as an individual presentation or tour. To obtain further information on this exciting new initiative, please contact us at humane.education@calgaryhumane.ca!
Kids’ Corner VOLUNTEERING AT ANY AGE! Once we see ourselves out of the pandemic and are able to offer in-person programs and activities, we invite youth interested in animals and their welfare to be a part of Calgary Humane Society! We have created opportunities for youth to explore their animal interests and to experience the shelter from a young age all the way to adulthood. These programs are meant to increase the knowledge and experience gained by the individual to be successful in their future career or volunteer role at CHS!
Ages 2 to 6
Ages 7 to 16
Ages 14 to 17
Family volunteer days
CHS youth clubs
Youth volunteer positions including summer camp volunteer, party animal volunteer or CHS store volunteer
Ages 18 + Adult volunteer roles and careers
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
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GOOD KARMA On May 15th, 2020, Karma - a small black and white terrier arrived at an emergency clinic in Calgary. Karma was far along in a pregnancy and appeared to be suffering from suspected toxicity. A drug test revealed that Karma had methamphetamines, barbiturates and amphetamines in her system. The owner, claiming financial hardship, declined all medical treatment and discharged Karma against medical advice.
KARMA’S PUPPY GIBSON
The veterinarian team from the emergency clinic immediately notified Calgary Humane Society, and CHS Peace Officers attended the owner’s residence and seized Karma. They promptly admitted her for emergency medical treatment and a second drug test revealed that cocaine was also present in Karma’s system, in addition to the already astonishing list of ingested narcotics. Medical neglect is one of the most complex issues investigated by Calgary Humane Society Peace Officers and requires a great deal of time and attention. The investigator worked quickly to obtain all pertinent information and laid charges against the owner. This triggered an application for an order of custody hearing, which would grant Calgary Humane Society custody of Karma and her unborn puppies pending the outcome of court proceedings. In the next week, Karma slowly settled in with her 10
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
foster family, where she enjoyed long walks, a warm bed and the comfort of a stable home. On June 4th, after almost a month in foster care, Karma welcomed the birth of seven puppies. Custody of Karma and the newborns was granted to CHS by the Court of Queen’s Bench on June 11th, after a successful custody hearing. For the next eight months, Karma’s case was pending resolution in the court system. During that time, Calgary Humane Society, along with the incredible help of a number of foster families, nurtured Karma’s seven puppies, ensuring that all were optimally healthy, loved and enriched. Due to the strict COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the CHS team had to get creative in helping foster families with the puppies, offering training and support via Zoom and phone. Socially-distanced puppy socialization classes were established to help them learn to communicate properly with other dogs.
CALI
GIBSON
MARTIN
KARMA
STORM
RICKY
On February 2nd, 2021, Karma’s owner pleaded guilty to the charges against her. She received a fine and five-year prohibition from owning or caring for animals, resulting in the forfeiture of Karma and her pups. Karma’s puppies - now very large young dogs - were all finally able to be adopted out by Calgary
Humane Society! Finding forever homes for this adorable bunch did not take long. In fact, within the first three weeks, five of the seven loving pups went home with new families! And the best part of all was that Karma, too, found her forever home!
JADE
ASH
GIBSON WITH HIS FOSTER-TO-ADOPT PARENT
STORM WITH HER FOSTER-TO-ADOPT PARENTS
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
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MAX PHANEUF
GWEN AND ELLIE VAN HERK
GWEN AND ELLIE VAN HERK AND THEIR FOOD CART
CHS CHAMPIONS
O
COME IN ALL AGES!
ver the past year, we have been humbled by the dedication, creativity and hard work of our youngest supporters who continue to find ways to support our work and raise our spirits with their amazing efforts!
We want to tell you about Gwen and Ellie Van Herk - at just six and seven-years-old, they have already been supporting Calgary Humane Society for a few years. These CHS Champions’ latest fundraising venture was called Gwen’s Food Cart. As animal lovers and baking enthusiasts, Gwen and Ellie wanted to find a way to combine their passions and share them with their friends, family and neighbours. With the help of their parents, they built and decorated a cart equipped to deliver orders in exchange for a donation in support of CHS. When COVID-19 arrived, they did not give up and instead began accepting pre-orders of canned goods and continued supporting the animals, despite the challenges. Our friend Max Phaneuf, who at six-years-old, is another inspiring CHS Champion whose efforts touched our hearts. For the last couple of years, Max has been collecting funds in-lieu of gifts for his birthday. He uses
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Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
MAX PHANEUF
the funds to purchase needed supplies and loves bringing them to the shelter. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, Max’s mom helped him to organize an online fundraiser. This allowed him to reach more supporters than ever before! Despite his young age, Max is a wonderful advocate who understands the big impact he has made and is excited to encourage his school friends to do the same. We are enormously honoured to have the support of our young Champions. We thank them for helping Calgary Humane Society spread awareness in support of animal welfare and collecting valuable funds for the animals in need!
WHAT IS SEPARATION ANXIETY AND HOW DO I DEAL WITH IT? Destructive behaviour such as chewing, COVID-19 has changed all of our lives, including scratching or digging those of our pets! Our furry friends have become Frantic pacing, circling or visual scanning used to having their human family at home day Inappropriate elimination (urinating or and night and this is now a regular part of their defecating inside the home) daily routines. Although this shared time has many Extreme greeting routine or excitement when benefits, it can also create issues with separation owner comes home anxiety when the humans head back to the office and back to school again! Separation anxiety is preventable and can be managed with systematic treatment. Punishing Separation anxiety (SA) in dogs is a feeling of a dog for vocalization and destruction should be panic or stress when they are left alone. In the avoided and can make the situation worse. canine world, when a puppy is nervous, it whines. As mom comforts the pup, it begins to feel better. Tips on dealing with minor cases of separation This reassurance and comfort of social closeness anxiety in your dog: reinforces the distress behaviours displayed by the Do not make a big deal out of arrivals and puppy and can extend into later life. departures from the home. Ignore your dog for the first few minutes of arriving home and then The unfamiliarity of a new environment for a calmly pet them. dog, coupled with isolation from their new owner Leave your dog with recently worn clothes that for long periods of time, can cause anxiety. For smell like you. a dog, this can lead to vocalization - the only Regularly interrupt your dog from shadowing method the puppy knows to elicit a response you around the house by using a baby gate or for social closeness. When this doesn’t work, the x-pen for short periods of time. puppy becomes more stressed and finds their Practice very short absences with mock environment unpredictable and out of their departures and arrivals. control. Increase physical exercise and mental stimulation. Common factors that contribute to the development of SA in dogs include: If your pet is suffering from severe separation Puppies removed from their biological family anxiety: before 12 weeks of age SA is a neurological distress response, so in severe cases, medication is recommended. Failure to gradually expose dog to periods of Your veterinarian can help you determine the absence best option for your pet. Sudden or significant change of routine or In conjunction with SA medication, a schedule, such as moving into a new home structured and gradual desensitization or the loss of a family member or other pet program can help to change a dog’s emotional Dogs with pre-existing anxiety-based response to their human’s departure. disorders, such as a phobia or compulsive Consult a qualified, professional animal disorder behavior specialist for further help. Calgary Humane Society offers a FREE behaviour Common signs of SA in dogs: helpline for your questions and concerns Excessive distress vocalization such as barking, at (403) 723-6019 or at: behaviour.help@ howling or whining calgaryhumane.ca. Excessive drooling and sweaty paws (appear as “wet” paw prints on the floor)
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
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PROJECT
In 2022, Calgary Humane Society will celebrate its 100th birthday and the completion of our Facility Enhancement Project! To commemorate this important event, we have teamed up with Alberta’s Mural Mosaic to create a custom piece of wall art which will be proudly hung in the newly renovated reception area. We are thrilled to present this unique opportunity to our community to allow our passionate supporters the chance to get involved with our Facility Enhancement Project. As a donor to this campaign, your gift will secure your place in history at Calgary Humane Society! With your $100 donation, a photograph of your choosing will be laser-edited, printed and embedded on a 2-inch x 2-inch tile within the mural. You, or a designate, will also receive a keepsake gift and a spot in our online interactive mural! Tiles are available in a limited quantity and can be purchased for $100 each, with all proceeds in support of the Facility Enhancement Project. For further information or to purchase your tile, please email us at: communitymural@ calgaryhumane.ca or give us a call at: (403) 7236000.
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Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
2020 - YEAR IN REVIEW total number of surgeries performed
1,734 cats
dogs
48,542
treatments provided to animals in our care
1,478
rabbits
animals placed in foster homes
other dental
types of surgeries performed
9,854
volunteer hours logged despite the covid-19 pandemic
750 1,074 foster families
animal cruelty and neglect investigations 1200 1074
1000
554
active volunteers
800 600 400
376
200
54
2 19
99,000
16
233
remote events that resulted in
individuals charged
animals investigations seized
cups of food fed to our animals
adopted animals
313
seminar class registrants
registrants for behaviour classes
new socially-distanced volunteer roles created TOTAL ANIMALS ADOPTED
Cats Adopted
1142
Dogs Adopted
294
Rabbits Adopted
235
1,953 Other Animals Adopted
282
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
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MEET BARKLEY
S
Pool day
Snow monster!
hortly after my Dad passed in 2013, I had a large void in my life. I had dogs as a child and remembered what comfort and happiness they brought me.
I went in to CHS to look at a pup that I saw on the website but he had already found a good home. As I walked along the kennels, I came upon kennel 13. Inside was an older pup, just lying there and looking adorable! He had huge feet that he hadn’t grown into yet and I was thinking he was black Lab crossed with a bear! I asked about the dog and found he was available for adoption. The staff had named him Barkley, which I thought was cute. After a brief visit, I decided to put a deposit down, and think about it overnight. The next day, I couldn’t wait to go get Barkley! He was so shy and it was obvious he wasn’t used to riding in a vehicle. He trusted me enough to get in, but I made sure I stopped every 15 minutes or so to let him out. Each time he was more eager to get back into my truck on his own. It took us two hours to get home! As we got to know each other, I knew I had made the right decision. I just wished that my parents could have met Barkley, as they would have fallen in love with him, too. It was driving me mad not knowing what Barkley was crossed with, so I had his DNA done. Turns out I was close on the bear guess! 16
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
Barkley is a black Lab and Newfoundland mix! That explains so much of his sweet nature and his goofy antics. Barkley LOVES water. Water bowl, toilet, kiddie pool, hot tub or mud puddle! He also loves to chew sticks and wood - sticks, branches, and even the odd piece of firewood he would take off the pile when camping. Camping is also a favourite activity for us both. As soon as I put the hitch on my truck, he starts to cry with excitement and won’t leave my side. Seven years, three trucks, one trailer, four homes, and a few grey hairs (for us both) later, we are still so happy together. In the time I’ve had Barkley, we have remarkably only been apart for six days. We go everywhere together! Barkley has been an amazing dog. Everyone falls in love with his sweet nature and how gentle he is. He nudges me when it’s time for bed, or if I’ve spent too much time on the computer, or as I call it…the Labtop, as he playfully lays across the keyboard, wags and puts his paw on me. I am so grateful to Calgary Humane Society for the work they do. Their staff is amazing. I was always taught to get dogs from the SPCA by my mother who said that animals deserve a second chance, and she was right. My life is so much better with Barkley.” - Andrew Durling
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NOTICE TO MEMBERS Annual General Meeting of Calgary Humane Society
Get
800
Bonus Miles!*
Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 7:00 p.m to 8:30 p.m Calgary Humane Society remains committed to protecting the health and safety of both people and animals during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be conducting the 2021 AGM virtually and further details will be communicated to all members in April.
Earn AIR MILES on everything you purchase with the BMO® Calgary Humane Society AIR MILES®† Mastercard®* card.
Please RSVP by phone at: (403) 723-6000 or by email at: donate@calgaryhumane.ca
bmo.com/chs ®
* Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Used under license. Trademarks of AM Royalties Limited Partnership used under license by LoyaltyOne, Co. and Bank of Montreal.
®†
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
17
FOSTER PARENT HIGHLIGHT
R
REXY’S STORY
exy was only fivemonths-old when he came to Calgary Humane Society as a stray. He spent time in a foster home, where his foster parents and our Animal Health team soon noticed that he was licking and chewing around his hips and was limping. Our veterinarians ran some medical tests and diagnosed Rexy with hip dysplasia – a painful condition that can cause arthritis and hip dislocation. Rexy needed to have two surgeries to repair this issue with each surgery booked six weeks apart so that Rexy had time to recover. Part of his healing plan included strict kennel rest and physiotherapy that could not be done in the shelter, so a CHS foster family offered to take Rexy in and care for him. “Rexy is a sweet and loving, if a somewhat ambitious boy” says Nancy, one of Rexy’s foster parents. “He is bright and intelligent but had paws so big we doubted he would ever grow into them. We had never had a dog so large and I was not sure about it at all!”
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Rexy required many check-ups at the shelter and early-morning appointments at a local animal hospital throughout his recovery. Our Animal Health and Behaviour teams worked with Rexy and his foster family to keep him happy and healthy while he was on strict kennel rest. Even though Rexy was experiencing big and scary changes, his foster parents shared that he always had a lot of love to give. “The best parts are the early mornings when he is not really awake yet. For the first month or so, he would just want to cuddle into someone’s lap and stay there for a half hour.” Nancy and her family started fostering Rexy in September 2020, and it was a long road to recovery. “After his second surgery, he was in so much pain and just wanted his people. His intelligence and independence really started to come through the more he trusted us.” Nancy and her family got to watch Rexy discover everything for the first time – from his first snowfall to finally being able to run and play fetch. As further weeks passed, it was
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
finally time for Rexy to move on from the care of CHS and his foster family to find his forever home! While Rexy recovered from his last operation, his foster family realized that he had already found his home. When asked what made her realize this, Nancy says, “we just knew it would break our hearts to let him go.” Nancy and her family made the adoption official in February of 2021. Rexy now spends his days sunbathing in the backyard and enjoying long walks with his forever family.
Reflecting on their experience fostering Rexy, Nancy says, “every dog comes with challenges, but the foster opportunity is its own reward. Once that connection was there with Rexy there was nothing else quite like it.” We thank our incredible foster families for all of the love and care they give to the animals of CHS. We couldn’t do what we do without them!
PROTECTION & INVESTIGATIONS 2020 - 2021 COURT OUTCOMES
CONVICTIONS September 2020 to February 2021
Josephine MADRUGA Charged for allowing an animal to be in distress, contrary to 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $1000 fine and a five-year prohibition. Cordelle OESCH Charged for allowing an animal to be in distress, contrary to 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $1000 fine and a lifetime prohibition. Sarah HULZEBOS Charged for causing an animal to be in distress, contrary to 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $500 fine and a five-year prohibition. Tyler JACKSON Charged for allowing an animal to be in distress, contrary to 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $500 fine and a lifetime prohibition. Daniel ZAKALUZNY Charged for causing an animal to be in distress, contrary to 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $1000 fine and a two-year prohibition. John LOEPPKY Charged for allowing an animal to be in distress, contrary to 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $500 fine and a ten-year prohibition. Jin WANG and Yu LIANG Charged for allowing an animal to be in distress, contrary to 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $230 fine and a three-year prohibition.
Trent CUPIDO Charged for willfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal, contrary to 445.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada and willfully neglecting an animal contrary to 446(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada, was convicted to 90 days incarceration and a ten-year prohibition. Lea PHAM Charged for allowing an animal to be in distress, contrary to 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a ten-year prohibition. Angela OLESKY-LUI Charged for allowing an animal to be in distress, contrary to 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta, was convicted and sentenced to a $1000 fine and five-year prohibition. CORRECTION: In the Spring/Summer 2018 issue of Connecting Lives, we reported the Animal Protection Act conviction of Jodi Larocque. Larocque’s charges were withdrawn by the Crown. Larocque was not convicted, fined or prohibited from owning animals.
2020 ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS Abandonment 146 Physical Abuse 134 Unsanitary Conditions 53 Lack of Adequate Food 58 Lack of Adequate Water 34 Grooming Neglect 13 Animals left in a Hot Car 48 Medical Neglect 277 Lack of Adequate Space 7 Lack of Adequate Shelter 216 Inspections 10 Other 78 Total
1074
Individuals Charged Animals Seized
54 376
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
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4455 110 AVENUE SE CALGARY, AB T2C 2T7 FOLLOW US ONLINE @CALGARYHUMANESOCIETY @CALGARYHUMANE @CALGARYHUMANE @CALGARYHUMANESOCIETY PM #40011037
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