Angels of Hope Animal Rescue: Overwhelmed, exhausted, heartbroken

ESTERHAZY — The past year, it seems that every SPCA or animal rescue has been filled to its capacity, and the problem is continuing.

Angels of Hope Animal Rescue has been operating since 2010 and they feel this is the worst they have been.

Sherrie Flick is the president. The vice-president is Sheryl Stomp and Shantel Gabriel takes care of public relations, and they are exhausted.

Flick said they are not veterinarians and are not trained to access animal behaviour, nor do they have the authority to remove animals from an abusive situation.

However, they do have one thing in common and that is being compassionate about all living animals and their humane treatment.

With the co-operation of individuals, town council, the RCMP, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and local veterinarians, they make every effort to help rescue domesticated animals in distress or ones that are homeless.

Working out of Esterhazy, they cover a large area in Saskatchewan, from central to the southeast, working closely with other rescues in Regina and also Manitoba.

Although many people blame COVID-19 for the abundance of dogs, Flick believes this is only 10-20 per cent of the source.

“Yes, lots of people got dogs during that time and then went back to work and their dog became a workload and they gave them up,” said Flick.

She believes the problem is due to irresponsible breeding and pets not being spayed or neutered.

Lask week alone, Flick and her helpers took in five nine-week-old puppies, a group of nine four-week-old pups and received calls for another eight puppies and a mother dog and her litter of six pups.

Flick phoned around to see if anyone could help, but all the rescues are full, and many are overburdened with vet expenses.

“We are overwhelmed, exhausted and heartbroken for these animals,” said Flick. They all have jobs and do this at the same time.

Now the cry for help goes out to foster homes, as they too are in short demand, and they want people to stop breeding dogs and rescue a dog.

“Dogs and cats deserve a good life, as they have feelings as well and remember things for a long time,” she said.

The pups that came in will need to have vet checks, and when old enough, their vaccinations, and this all costs money.

Donating to a rescue, the money goes to the animal, as the workers all are volunteers. Their homes are opened to the animal but are not paid for it.

When a person is a foster, they are supplied with food, toys and pee pads, and vet expenses are covered as well.

The adoption application is detailed to ensure the puppy goes to a loving home and that the family adopting will provide for the dog as long as the animal is alive.

“A pet is a long-time commitment of the pet’s life,” said Flick. “They should be treated like part of the family.”

People need to be educated on the importance of vaccinations for such diseases as parvo and distemper. These diseases kill dogs and the dogs need deworming, and spayed or neutered at the right age to ensure they are not bred.

Contact your nearest rescue, SPCA or humane society to adopt. These dogs and cats will love you unconditionally and are always happy to see a person when they come home and happily will share your bed.

If you cannot adopt, consider being a foster.