B.C. floods nearly derails animal rescue's plans to bring dogs from China to Calgary
A two month long project to bring 16 rescue dogs from China to Calgary almost veered off track thanks to highway closures caused by widespread flooding and mudslides in B.C.
"It's been a tremendously challenging project," said Clarissa von Stetten of Calgary-based Rescue Friends Animal Foundation, "There's been a lot of collaboration between different groups and agencies, and a lot of hiccups along the way."
Rescue Friends Animal Foundation had been waiting for the dogs' arrival in Vancouver from China, and a team of Calgary volunteers were supposed to drive them back to the city.
When news of the road closures hit, the dogs were already preparing to leave China and time was ticking to find a solution. That's when Wings of Rescue came to the rescue.
Rescue Friends Animal Foundation had been waiting for the dogs' arrival in Vancouver from China, and a team of Calgary volunteers were supposed to drive them back to the city.
"We were very fortunate that Wings of Rescue offered to fly the dogs coming into Vancouver from China, to Calgary," said von Stetten, "We wouldn't have been able to complete this mission without them."
The U.S.-based charity helps transport at-risk animals from overcrowded, high-kill shelters to ones that have more space. The organization anticipates it will fly its 60,000th animal to safety this week.
All 16 rescue dogs are now safe with their respective foster families in Calgary.
"Some of these dogs have been rescued from the streets and puppy mills, but by in large, it's the meat trade that a lot of the rescues in Asia focus on," said von Stetten.
The dogs are set to quarantine for at least two weeks before they are put up for adoption.
For more information on how to adopt one of these rescues, visit the Rescue Friends Animal Foundation website, here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.