Mom and daughter find their own solution to homeless dog problem
Kerri Manuel of Sydney holds a beagle/German shepherd mix that was up for adoption through the Cape Breton SPCA, out on the property of River Pet Supplies on Kings Road, Sydney River. Manuel and her daughter Krissy, 10, decided to take several dogs out to this location every Saturday because some people find it difficult to go out to the SPCA office. T.J. Colello - Cape Breton Post.
SYDNEY RIVER — Kerri Manuel and her daughter Krissy, 10, have stopped thinking about how lonely a dog’s life can be at the Cape Breton SPCA and are doing something about it.The mother and daughter team from Sydney spend Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside the River Pet Supplies store in Sydney River, matching homeless animals with people who promise to love them.
“So many are being adopted, we will keep doing this as long as we can,” says Kerri.Over the past two months they have found homes for 21 dogs.Manuel said they began as volunteers at the SPCA.
“We started this year. We would go in and walk dogs or bath them.
”She said after spending time with the animals, leaving them at the shelter was the hardest thing she has ever done.
"I would be crying on my way home, saying ‘I can't do this anymore.’ My daughter said, ‘Mom if we don't do it, who will?’”
One day, while at River Pet Supplies, she talked with owner Larry Burrell about the problem of homeless dogs.
“There are so many people who want to adopt a dog but can't bring themselves to go into the SPCA. My idea was to bring the dogs to them.”Burrell jumped aboard.
“I only knew him from going there to buy dog food. He not only gave us an area on his property for this, he got us a tent, barbecue, propane and picnic table and even brings out food for the dogs. Words can’t describe what he has done — he is absolutely phenomenal.
”They also hold a barbecue and sell SPCA 50/50 tickets, with all proceeds going to the shelter.One day Kerri was in the pet supply store talking to Burrell about the need for volunteers to help barbecue and help arrived from an unexpected quarter.
“There was a young couple there who overheard us talking. They showed up the next day, barbecued all day, then adopted a dog before they left.
“They were unbelievable and I don’t even know them.”
“We have a great group of volunteers, including Kathleen Jewels and Sandra Velar, as well as a group of youth who come faithfully every week.”
Patsy Rose, manager of the SPCA, said it is wonderful what the Manuels are doing.“They have gotten a lot of dogs adopted for us. A lot of people can’t come here to the shelter, (so) this gives them a chance to go somewhere else to see them.“There have been times they have taken three dogs out, gotten all of them adopted — and then called us to bring out more to them.”
“They haven’t gone a week where they didn’t get at least one dog adopted.
”If anyone wishes to assist with this project or is looking to adopt a dog, they are asked to call Kerri Manuel at 539-1220 or the SPCA at 539-7722.
For those who haven't already seen it, there is a facebook group that has been created to help with this wonderful effort spca...adopt a dog !
This endeavor is living proof of what the No Kill advocates have been preaching all along ..... there are enough homes if the adoptables can get out where the people can meet them.
As a friend recently reminded me, not everyone is on the web. Even those who are generally go to their favourite familiar sites and are completely unaware of the animal welfare sites.
What time is it? If its raining cats and dogs at Metro maybe its time for them to be taking it to the streets.
1 comment:
I love this story! See a need and fill it.
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