RITchoT SenIoR SeRvIceS evenTS

Quilting & Knitting – Monday, February 13 and 27 from 9:30 – 11:15 am at 457 Main Street, St. Adolphe. Touch Quilts - are being created that will be donated to the Manitoba Alzheimer Society. Touch Quilts provide individuals in the late stages of dementia with an nary care or have been abandoned,” he added. “We do work in partnership with rural animal management services, or RAMS, as they’re referred to, and the animal control people in some of the surrounding RMs.

In 2022, SAAR had 291 intakes, animals that needed care.

With the lack of a building, SAAR works solely through a foster program.

“Our foster program is a fluid program with Fosters coming and going and taking a break due to health reasons, family situations, or vacations,” explained Polluck.

“Currently we have approximately 28 active fosters that will accept and look after cats or kittens and approximately 15 foster homes that will consider dogs or puppies.”

Polluck does admit more foster volunteers are needed.

“We are constantly looking for new fosters to apply for either cats or dogs,” he said. “It’s also important for us to find some fosters that have experience in dealing with dogs, especially those with some behaviour issues.”

“Currently our cat foster intakes are full and our cat intake coordinator Raelle has a waiting list that she works from to place as many cats and kittens as possible,” added Polluck. “Our dog fosters all have puppies or dogs placed with them at the moment as we recently took in a number of puppies that were found abandoned on the side of the road.”

With the growth of the organization and an increased demand, SAAR is gearing up for the next stage with their eye on having a building they could call their own. They already have the land required.

“A wish and dream for a permanent building has been with us for a number of years,” said Polluck. “Three years ago, SAAR purchased property on Keating Road on the west side of Steinbach, with the intent of constructing a shelter facility to house Steinbach & Area animal Rescue.”

Building their own facility has not always been straight as an ar- opportunity for sensory stimulation which is important for someone affected by dementia because it can provide feelings of comfort and relaxation.

Knitting - A variety of knitwear is being created such as mittens, hats and scarves. These items are donated throughout the year to different groups to help provide comfort to those less fortunate. If you are interested in participating, come on by. Everything you need to help is supplied.

Foot Care Clinics - By appointment only. For more information, please contact Janice at 204-883-2880.

Upcoming clinic dates: Ste Agathe – Wednesday, February row flies.

“As we are a not-for-profit, and we operate solely on, private donations and gifts with some grants, financially, it was not feasible at that time construct a building,” he admitted. “Over the past couple of years, the board has looked at a number of different options for a shelter facility.”

Polluck now feels the Board is ready to commit.

“We recently made the decision to revisit the idea of constructing a facility on the property,” he explained. “And that is our hope for this coming year.”

Getting all the pieces to come together is their strategy.

“We do have a commitment for some financial support towards the building from the City of Steinbach and … we are in the process of writing grant applications to help support the building of the facility.”

Polluck stated that SAAR currently has about $100,000 in

1 and Thursday, February 2. St. Adolphe – Monday, February 6, Tuesday February 7 and Wednesday, February 8.

Ile des Chenes – Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday March 8. Heart to Home Meals -To place your order please call 1-204-816-8659 or 1-888-216-1067. Call Heart to Home and they will send you a menu. Menus are also available to pick up at Ritchot Senior Services. We ask you to please call or email Ritchot Senior Services after placing your orders and let us know you have placed an order. This will assist us in organizing volunteers for delivery of meals to you.

Order your meals by:

Wednesday, February 1 meals will their building fund built through fundraising efforts, and generous gifts and donations from different private donors.

Polluck explained the Board of SAAR has learnt patience as their fundraising efforts have to be balanced between this project and money they require for daily operating expenses.

“I’d love to be able to say that we’re going to have a building by June or July of this year however there are some financial things that the board needs to work out and approve before we can go ahead with that,” explained Polluck. “It may surprise you to know that our largest operational cost is our vetting. Every animal taken into care gets fully vetted and spayed/neutered. In 2022, SAAR spent almost $118,000 on vetting of our animals.”

“As a rescue, we need to ensure that we have sufficient income each month to support our daily operations and construction of a new be delivered directly to you on February 2. Wednesday, February 15 meals are ready for pick up or delivery on January 16. This service is available to all areas of the Ritchot Community including St. Adolphe, Ste Agathe, Ile des Chenes, Grande Pointe, Howden and Glenlea. There are no contracts, no minimum orders.

Coffee with Friends – Thursdays, February 9, 16 and 23 at 10 - 11:30 am. Open to everyone. $2 for bottomless coffee and a treat. Ritchot Senior Services, 457 Main Street, St. Adolphe.

Bingo – Tuesday, February 28 from building will obviously add to our monthly expenditures,” he added. “We hope to be in a position to have a facility by the end of 2023, but again that will largely depend, on our ability to receive grants and our continued support by our generous contributors.”

If you are interesting in becoming a volunteer or a board member please contact Michelle at Steinbachanimalrescue@gmail.com. If you are interested in fostering contact them at foster.saar@gmail. com.

SAAR February Events

Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue will be having a pet adoption event at Pet Valu in Steinbach on February 11, as well as one at Clearspring Mall on February 12.

In conjunction with the pet adoption event at Clearspring Mall on February 12, SAAR will host a volunteer recruitment. The SAAR team will have information about the various volunteer roles available within SAAR, as well as answering questions about signing up as a foster.

February is “Double the love and double the fun!” SAAR is having a bonded pairs promotion, with reduced adoption fees for the cats that need to be adopted as duos. “We currently have a number of pairs of closely bonded cats that would not do well if they were separated, so we are hoping to encourage people to open their hearts and homes to two new furry family members, instead of just one,” said Raelle, a SAAR volunteer.

SAAR is currently running a Chase the Ace fundraiser every Monday evening at Smitty’s lounge in Steinbach. The current total of the pot is $10,765.

Information on all the events can be found on their social media pages, and the adoptable animals are all on their website along with online application forms.

1:30 – 3 pm at 457 Main Street, St. Adolphe. Play for fun prizes. $2 admission. You must pre register for this event.

Lunch & Learn – Tuesday, February 21 at10 am, 457 Main Street, St. Adolphe. Join us in welcoming special guest Carefree Concierge offering tips on downsizing, then carefully pack and move your belongings. They can help confirm appointments with cable, internet, and phone companies to ensure services are transferred to your new home. They can also arrange to have your previous home cleaned and ready for resale. Stay after for bowl of soup and chat with friends. You must pre register for this event.