Just like any other business, the Rescue Biz is reliant on a bottom line to help the front line march happily along. The PPI has been incredibly blessed with donations of all kinds, food, crates, blankets, collars, leashes, toys, time, transportation and, of course monetary.

Because The PPI supports a variety of rescues, we will often cross post events in an effort to drive interest and attendance for the fundraising activities of our partner not for profit organizations. Fundraising initiatives and events are held by most every rescue group in order to support the base costs of rescuing animals.

When an animal is rescued, their first visit is usually to a vet for a thorough check up amongst other treatments. Unless the animal has been surrendered by its owner (we don’t judge here, we help) the animal has most likely lived its life in the great outdoors. With no real shelter to speak of and on a diet of whatever scraps they can eke out, the condition of a rescued animal can be rather shocking.

While there are many vets that donate their time and services to rescues, they obviously have to charge for the bulk of the services rendered. On entry into rescue, a vet exam is conducted to get an overall snapshot of the animal's health and ascertain existing conditions. Some common ailments are mange, worms and, lack of proper diet. In extreme cases breaks may need to be set and sometimes surgeries are required in emergency situations.

If you are the parent of a fur baby, you have a complete understanding of how easily the bills can rack up to keep an animal in good health. Add in the cost of transport, pet food, collar, leash, crate, etc and, soon enough the ticker tape of expenses can become overwhelming for rescues caring for multiple animals.

Note: rescue fosters provide a safe home environment for rescue animals out of the goodness of their hearts and do not receive financial compensation. Funds raised or donated and adoption fees go directly to the health and welfare of the rescued animals.

Every rescue with a Facebook or web page will usually have a donations page or button which enables concerned citizens to fund certain causes or specific animals. If you have the financial capacity, you may wish to set up a monthly donation with your favorite rescue. When a rescue is registered as a charitable organization it allows that rescue to issue tax receipts for monetary donations over a specified amount, usually $20. If you require a tax receipt for your donation please make sure to ask a clarifying question before making your donation!!

Examples of some fun fundraisers that rescues host in order to pay down vet bills or fill up the pet food pantry are:

• Bingo Bowl
• Raffle Ticket Sale
• Bottle Drives
• Bud Spuds / Pizza / Pasta events (we like to eat!)
• Garage Sales & Arts & Crafts Sales

And, check out this fantastic online event hosted by The PPI through AVIVA:

"We know that we can help so many dogs, as well as improving communities with funds from Aviva. We have big dreams and goals of progressing our community, province and country in the care and management of companion animals. Mission Statement "Our vision is to improve the lives of dogs and people in our communities."

Remember to check out your favorite Rescue group’s Facebook or Web page to see what upcoming events they may be hosting. These events are a great way to get out, meet some new people, have an awesome time and, help rescues help animals in need.

Getting an animal into rescue is almost never the end of the story. There are so many balls in the air when an individual or team goes out to secure an animal in need of a safe place to land and sometimes the journey is far longer than the average person may be aware of.

The Pack Project Inc has been instrumental in providing transport services to dogs and cats and will continue to coordinate and facilitate this relocation service as long as it is needed. The why of transporting stray and rescued animals may be a bit of a mystery for those of you readers not involved in the rescue world so please allow me to provide some examples of situations when a relocation is called for.



A great example is Sierra who was rescued from a Northern community by Norway House and was also the inspiration for our first ever blog, The Power of the Pack.

Without being transported into Winnipeg for immediate vetting and foster/rescue care, Sierra would have likely lived out the remainder of her days in significant pain. Her survival rate at the time of her rescue was very low, and without the intervention of Norway House and the kind folks that donated to her transport, Sierra would probably no longer be with us.

Sometimes one Rescue may be able to provide immediate assistance but may not have the financial or foster capacity to sustain the long term care of an animal. Sometimes the rescued animal requires specialized care and foster. Not everyone is able to bring in a Momma on the brink of whelp so after the initial rescue a more long term solution must be found.

An expectant Momma needs to be directed into the hands of an experienced whelping / mushing foster that possesses the skill needed to birth and rear puppies to a minimum of 8 weeks while simultaneously caring for a very often terrified Momma. If the right person for the job is across the city or in another province, Momma dog is having herself a little trip to ensure she is delivered into the hands of her very capable foster.

In our feature photo at the top left is one lucky Momma and pups being placed into foster care. Miss Foxy and her pups were rescued by Strays That Can’t Pay and transported into the care of Saskatoon Dog Rescue. Needless to say that was a great big huge job and without the synchronized efforts of many rescuers, Miss Foxy might still be mothering her brood of 9 under the shed where they had been living.

Another girl on the move was Miss Gracie who was rescued from a Northern Community in Manitoba. After being brought into care she had a brief stay with Hillside Canine Fosters and Doggy Doula - it's what we do before traveling on to the West Coast into the loving hands of CAARE.

One rescued girl who really put the miles on is the lovely Miss Cookie! She needed a ride from Winnipeg to Regina after being rescued by Coral at Umbrella All Animal Rescue. She first hitched a ride with a nice man named Larry. (who grew to absolutely adore Miss Cookie along their highway journey).

After her long haul style journey, The PPI gave a helping hand at 2am, when our very own Joanne Fraynak collected Miss Cookie from Larry. Joanna shuttled Cookie to Amy who in turn drove Cookie to the airport where together they flew out to CAARE  in British Columbia via Pilots and Paws Canada. CAARE will lovingly foster Cookie until she finds her forever family.

*Pilots and Paws Canada is a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers that help relocate animals all over Canada. They assist multiple rescues from Coast to Coast.*

These are some pretty amazing stories right? If you can help with transport by way of offering a lift by road or air, or by a donation of cash or supplies, please contact us!

To everyone out there helping rescued animals on the road to their forever families, The PPI salutes and warmly thanks you for all that you do, no gesture or donation is too small, every lit bit adds up to a happy ending.

A HUGE Pack thank you goes out to our very busy Pack Project Transporter, Joanne Fraynak, for all of her hard work in coordinating travel arrangements for these and many more rescued animals.