Parachutes For Pets vaccine clinic helps low-income families ahead of holidays
Several veterinary professionals and volunteers gave their time to provide 100 per cent free pet care thanks to help from numerous sponsors who donated to the cause.
The average vet bill can cost anywhere from a few hundred all the way up to thousands of dollars, which is why Parachutes For Pets helped 50 low income families cover the hefty burden.
Melissa David, founder of the non-profit organization, said the vaccine clinic held Saturday at Fen Vet in Airdrie provided vaccines, dental check ups, x-rays, and everything in between for cats and dogs young and old.
Several veterinary professionals and volunteers gave their time to provide 100 per cent free pet care thanks to help from numerous sponsors who donated to the cause.
“A lot of our individuals today are seniors, which I think is very important to realize that a lot of them are making choices between their groceries and their medication and their pets,” said David.
“It’s important to provide them with a peace of mind at Christmas time that their pet is taken care of.”
David added that Parachutes For Pets received more than 300 applications.
“The need here is just a great example of how important these types of clinics are,” she said.
“We actually had a client come in with a dog that was limping and it turned out that their leg was broken. That family was unable to afford an X-ray before and they weren’t able to get the treatment, but now their dog is being casted and taken care of.”
The clinic was especially important for people like Kim Weyman and her four-year-old therapy dog Fiona that she relies on to help her through mental health struggles.
“I am very thankful for the program for people that are in the economic crisis the way it is right now and this is something that's extremely helpful,” said Weyman.
“My dog is part of my family, she does so much for us so it’s important that we can keep her happy and healthy.”
Other people like Lynda Clarke just moved to Alberta six months ago and had been struggling to find vet care.
“We needed to get vaccinations done for our 12-year-old dog Matti and this has been the perfect opportunity to meet a vet and get the help we need.”
OVERJOYED
Cody Creelman, the owner of Fen Vet, was pleased with the turnout and says his staff members are overjoyed to be able to help animals in need of care.
“This is really part of the fabric and the culture of our practice,” he said.
“It’s been extremely rewarding for the entire team here, they’re grinning ear to ear today and it feels so nice to give back especially around Christmas. I wish we could recreate this feeling every single day.”
Parachutes For Pets says it is continuing to work with volunteers and sponsors for additional clinics that will be set up in the New Year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
23 vehicles towed, dozens of tickets issued as rally marks one-year anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa
OPS and Ottawa Bylaw officers issued 192 parking tickets and 67 Provincial Offences Notices in downtown Ottawa this weekend, as people gathered marked the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy'.
'COVID is not done,' Canadian infectious disease expert says ahead of WHO announcement
While RSV and flu cases steadily decline in Canada, the World Health Organization is set to announce on Monday whether it still considers COVID-19 a global health emergency, but one infectious disease specialist says we still need to keep an eye on the coronavirus.
YouTube star MrBeast helps 1,000 blind people see again by sponsoring cataract surgeries
YouTube superstar MrBeast is making the world clearer -- for at least 1,000 people. The content creator's latest stunt is paying for cataract removal for 1,000 people who were blind or near-blind but could not afford the surgery.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
'24,' 'Runaways' actor Annie Wersching has died at 45
Actor Annie Wersching, best known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series '24' and providing the voice for Tess in the video game 'The Last of Us' has died. She was 45.
Ukrainian kids find cellphone signal on hill, set up makeshift school
On a bleak, windswept hillside in northeast Ukraine, three young boys recently discovered a cell phone signal, something difficult to find in their region since Russia invaded their country. and they've set up a makeshift school around the signal.
Russian teen faces years in jail over social media post criticizing war in Ukraine
A Russian teenager must wear an ankle bracelet while she is under house arrest after she was charged over social media posts that authorities say discredit the Russian army and justify terrorism.
Father pushing Manitoba to follow Ontario, Saskatchewan in screening for CMV
Roughly one in 200 babies born in Canada today will have congenital cytomegalovirus, a virus that can lead to hearing loss, intellectual disability or vision loss. But with only two provinces screening newborns for CMV, one father is asking other health-care systems to do more.
Emotional prayer room ceremony marks 6th anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting
An emotional ceremony took place today marking the sixth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting, held for the first time in the same room where many of the victims were killed. Six men died that night: Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti were gunned down not long after evening prayers at the suburban Quebec City mosque.
Edmonton
-
Community town hall to focus on future of Hwy 16A and Range Road 20 intersection
The future of an intersection west of Edmonton in Parkland County, known by some as the "death trap" for being the scene of multiple crashes, continues to be reviewed by the provincial government.
-
Oilers feature U of A goalie during final moments of Saturday's Blackhawks win
A University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey goalie was doing homework Saturday night when he got the call that he would dress as the Oilers' backup.
-
Hundreds plunge into frozen Lake Summerside for Special Olympics Alberta
Edmontonians plunged into the freezing Lake Summerside Sunday afternoon in support of Special Olympics Alberta.
Vancouver
-
Dozens of animals killed in fire at Surrey exotic animal rescue
A fire at an exotic animal rescue in Surrey killed dozens of animals and displaced many more over the weekend.
-
Orthopaedic surgeries down 25% in B.C. public hospitals as private sector picks up slack
Orthoopaedic surgeons report that they’re doing only three quarters of the surgeries they used to in B.C.'s public hospitals, with an increasing number of taxpayer-funded procedures carried out in private facilities
-
B.C. couple says they were scammed by 'professional' wedding photographer who used stock images as portfolio
A Vancouver couple says they were scammed by a wedding photographer who used stock photos for his portfolio, delivered sub-par snaps of their big day, and then stopped taking their phone calls.
Atlantic
-
Actress and former senator Viola Leger, best known as La Sagouine, dies at 92
Actress, teacher and former senator Viola Leger has died at the age of 92.
-
Calls grow for Ottawa to set conditions against funding private health care in negotiations with provinces, territories
As momentum and negotiations build toward a long awaited deal on federal health care funding, calls are also growing for specific conditions on how any transfer money should be spent.
-
'I personally am effected by that': Nova Scotians express outrage over death of Tyre Nichols
Horror, outrage, and pain are just a few words Robert Wright uses to describe his feelings after watching Tyre Nichols pinned and assaulted by officers in Memphis.
Vancouver Island
-
UVic prof's 'Geographies of Surfing' course teaches students on the beach
Chris Darimont is the instructor for a course in UVic's geography field program called "Geographies of Surfing."
-
Downtown road closures planned for Victoria Chinese New Year parade
Road closures are planned for downtown Victoria on Sunday as lion dancers take to the streets to celebrate Chinese New Year.
-
Victoria nurse reprimanded for drinking on the job, encouraging others to do so
A Victoria nurse who drank alcohol at his workplace and encouraged subordinates to do the same has been reprimanded by his professional college.
Toronto
-
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
-
Trudeau remembers 'trailblazer' Hazel McCallion as tributes pour in for late Mississauga mayor
Late Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is being remembered for the many ways she contributed to not only to the city she led for 36 years, but also the province and country following her death on Sunday morning.
-
Man dead after daylight stabbing in downtown Toronto; suspect in custody
A man is dead and a male suspect is in custody following a stabbing at a downtown Toronto apartment building on Sunday afternoon.
Montreal
-
Emotional prayer room ceremony marks 6th anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting
An emotional ceremony took place today marking the sixth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting, held for the first time in the same room where many of the victims were killed. Six men died that night: Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti were gunned down not long after evening prayers at the suburban Quebec City mosque.
-
Quebec basic income program begins, but advocates say many low-income people excluded
Anti-poverty activists are praising the Quebec basic income program as a good step toward helping people meet their basic needs — but say strict eligibility criteria exclude many of the province’s lowest-income residents.
-
Montreal will focus on clearing snow, not removing it, until snowfall stops
As snow continues to pile on Montreal's streets, the city has decided to pause its snow removal operation from last Friday's storm. In the meantime, crews will focus on plowing the streets to keep up with the snowfall that's currently pummeling the city.
Ottawa
-
23 vehicles towed, dozens of tickets issued as rally marks one-year anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa
OPS and Ottawa Bylaw officers issued 192 parking tickets and 67 Provincial Offences Notices in downtown Ottawa this weekend, as people gathered marked the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy'.
-
Power outage partially shuts down O-Train service Sunday evening
A section of Ottawa's Confederation Line was out of service for more than 90 minutes Sunday evening due to a power outage. Full service resumed just after 10 p.m.
-
Red flag flying on Rideau Canal Skateway forces festival to cancel event
With the world's largest skating rink still closed, the Ice Dragon Boat Festival scheduled for next weekend has been cancelled.
Kitchener
-
Local group organizes townhall with WRPS Chief to discuss action against hate crimes
Sunday marks the 6th anniversary of a deadly attack at a Quebec City mosque where six men were killed and five others were critically injured.
-
'Could have been catastrophic': Fire official credits CO detector in helping save two people
The Waterloo Fire Department is crediting a working carbon monoxide (CO) detector for potentially helping to save the lives of two people early Sunday morning.
-
No injuries after fire at Cambridge McDonald’s
The Cambridge Fire Department said there were no injuries after a fire at a Mcdonald’s on Main Street in Cambridge.
Saskatoon
-
Inmate who died in custody in Saskatoon had a history of self harm: Court records
An inmate in the Regional Psychiatric Centre died while in custody on Saturday.
-
'It was so soft': Wildlife festival excites and educates visitors of all ages
Saskatchewan is home to a wide variety of animals, but the Wildlife Festival brought over 50 unique animals from all over the world to show and share.
-
Saskatoon indoor track meet draws international stars
Over 3,000 athletes ranging in age and skill level participated in Canada’s largest indoor invitational international track and field meet, the Knights of Columbus Indoor Games.
Northern Ontario
-
Driver receives 24 traffic tickets in less than 24 hours
A southern Ontario driver operating a commercial motor vehicle based in Edmonton, Alta. has been charged with 24 Highway Traffic Act offences in a 24-hour period before the vehicle was removed from service in northern Ontario.
-
Greater Sudbury apartment fire leaves one in hospital, 30 displaced
An apartment fire in Greater Sudbury Saturday evening has left one man in critical condition and displaced 30 residents.
-
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
Winnipeg
-
Jennifer Jones returns to Canadian women's curling championship in Manitoba colours
Jennifer Jones wins Manitoba's women's curling championship
-
How Manitoba RV and boat dealers are coping with inflation
RV and boat supply shortages during the pandemic made getting the vehicles tough to obtain, but with stock back to pre-pandemic levels, other challenges are now on buyers' minds.
-
Jennifer Jones returns to Canadian women's curling championship in Manitoba colours
WINNIPEG - Jennifer Jones defeated Abby Ackland 10-5 on Sunday to win Manitoba's women's curling championship and qualify for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Regina
-
City to host public information session with update on Saskatchewan Drive renovation
The city has planned a public information session to provide an update on the Saskatchewan Drive Corridor Project.
-
Break-in leads to multiple charges in central Regina: Police
Regina police responded to an early morning call on Sunday that ended with one man in custody.
-
Free, No-barriers yoga aims to help healing for Indigenous trauma survivors in Regina
“Getting in touch with yourself mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically if we’re talking about the medicine wheel, is really a big part of our healing journey as Indigenous people.”