UCLUELET — Two puppies found on a logging road near Ucluelet have new homes, and one local animal welfare organization says groups like his are busier than ever.
“No collars, no people anywhere to be found, covered in fleas and terrified,” reads a Facebook post on Ucluelet’s public community board. The rescuer declined to be interviewed.
The Rottweiler-mix puppies, which were found over the Ukee Days weekend July 26-28, were given medication for their fleas, and days after being found, long-term locals took them in.
James Rodgers, the co-founder of Coastal Animal Rescue and Education (CARE) Network, said it’s uncommon to find puppies in such a location.
“It’s more common to see stray dogs that have gotten separated from their people, you know campers or something like that,” he said.
CARE is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that works to help animals in remote communities on Vancouver Island’s west coast.
“One would hope that if one didn’t want puppies, they would get in touch with one of the re-homing organizations like CARE or the SPCA,” Rodgers said. “But one of the challenges right now is that there are just so many unwanted dogs, cats, puppies and kittens that it’s getting increasingly difficult to find homes for them.”
Rodgers said the situation is “dire” and that he’s never seen animal welfare organizations as busy and as underfunded as they are now.
This year alone, the B.C. SPCA has reported having 3.6 per cent more animals in care compared to last year.
“It’s an indication of how much we need more affordable, accessible vet care,” Rodgers said.
As a solution, CARE Network recently launched “Mission Pawsible,” a mobile vet clinic in the form of an 18-foot trailer and truck, to bring their animal care services to pet-owners in communities like Ahousaht, Ty-Histanis and Toquaht.
But as an organization that relies on volunteers, Rodgers said it is often overwhelmed as there is a limited capacity to take animals in. When CARE is unable to provide shelter, he recommends calling the BC SPCA’s Alberni-Clayoquot Branch in Port Alberni, which can transfer animals to other SPCA centres across the province.
Rodgers offered well wishes to the two Rottweiler pups, adding that he hopes they get spayed/neutered.
“The shelters are bursting at the seems,” he said.
Nora O’Malley is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter with Ha-Shilth-Sa, published in Port Alberni by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
