Adopt a Dog or Cat in Edmonton, Alberta
This Saturday, Zoe’s is breaking all the rules and having an on-the-spot adoption event – for stuffed animals! Stop by North Town Petsmart from 1 to 3pm to adopt a new friend for you, your children, or even your pet. Hey, stuffies deserve loving homes too!
There will also be a few adoptable Zoe’s dogs at the event. Rocky and Prince William may make an appearance.
Rocky
Prince WIlliam
Stop by and say hello!
Zoe’s was recently asked to help in a case where 31 cats and kittens were in desperate need of a rescue. While we’ve helped transfer and arrange transportation for many of the cats, seven of them will be staying with us (stay tuned for their profiles!).
With this influx we are in desperate need of supplies. We have a wish list of items we are always looking for, but these are some of the specifics at the moment:
To make donating super easy, these items can be purchased through a donation in our Estore. The money donated will be used to provide our animals with the care they need.
They also make a really cute gift – give your friend or family member the gift of milk to feed hungry kittens! How cute is that?
We’ve also reached the limit on our vet bills and will be holding off on intakes until we can pay them back. If you’d like to donate in a more traditional way, you can do so at ATB Cares where they match 15% of every dollar!
All of the volunteers that make up Zoe’s Animal Rescue would like to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who continues to support us. No donation is too small – we appreciate every penny we get!
Volunteers and patrons alike converged at the Whitemud PetSmart on the 14th February for a particularly snowy but distinctly romantic Zoe’s Adoption Event. Baked sweet treats of varying flavours and consistent deliciousness were provided by the über talented Maggie for the discerning palettes of both two and four legged patrons. Equally talented but in the visual rather than culinary arts was Amanda who battled gamely with a busy thoroughfare for the attention of pets and owners in the specially constructed Valentine’s photo booth. Holly was also on hand with the current Zoe’s Foster Album. Special guests of honour were Rocky and Molly, Zoe’s fosters and Sadie who came along from Paws in Need, all looking for their forever homes. An impressive $555 was raised for the cause and will go towards funding the important work of the Society.
Adoption events are incredibly important in allowing Zoe’s Rescue Society get its message to a wide range of the general public, raising essential funds to help with the care of the many animals we currently look after and those that will be cared for in future, and of course a literal shop window for those foster animals looking for their forever homes. In order for the events to continue to be a success, it is essential that as many people as possible attend – check the events blog for upcoming events and tell any friends, neighbours or work colleagues you think might be interested.
Special mention must go to Edmonton’s answer to Curious George…a giant tortoise who just happened to be pounding the aisles of PetSmart when we were there – it’s amazing what you can see when you get out on a Saturday afternoon…
1. To find the best match for your other pets and family members
2. To help the neglected or abused animals with no voice
3. To teach responsibility
4. To socialize your pets
5. Foster animals have a better chance of good placement than animals adopted out of a shelter/kennel
6. Helping animals without the long term commitment of ownership
7. No vet bills, cost of food etc. Zoe’s pays for everything
8. Be a place for animals to go, who are currently living tied up outdoors, or abandoned and left to die
9. Animals are very therapeutic – that’s scientifically proven
10. The feeling you get when your foster gets adopted and you know that you helped them on the road to their second chance at a happy life
11.And we could go on!
I decided to ask our team of volunteers and fosters why they chose to foster with Zoe’s.
95% of our volunteer group said that it’s the people. We have AMAZING members, who do so much for the community and are so supportive. Kath and Sasha, the co-directors are phenomenal – all the Zoe’s volunteers and fosters would agree. We have a great homechecker as well, so you always know that an animal is really going to the right home. Andrea is incredible – and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. There are tons of other people, as well, who make up an amazing team we call the Zoe’s Family.
Another great thing about Zoe’s is our adoption process. Not only do we choose the best application for that animal, but it is followed by a meet and greet, reference checks, home check.. all to make sure it really is that animals furever home. We are very proud of our return rate of 3% or lower.
Zoe’s is an incredibly supportive group of people of all ages – families, couples, room-mates… the list goes on. And we would LOVE to add you to our team. At Zoe’s, our mission is to be the voice for those animals who don’t have one. They need our help – and we need yours. We are so proud of how big this rescue has become – and how many animals we have placed into their furever homes, and given a second chance at life.
If you’re interested in becoming a part of this team, whether it’s fostering, organizing events, running a fundraiser, or even just transporting animals or picking up donations – please fill out a foster or volunteer application on our website. It could save an animal’s life – or many!
– Maggie Hamilton
Almost 8 years ago now, I endured horrible tragedy in my family. My eldest son was murdered & I was obviously devastated. We took my sons dog in along with the 3 I already had. As the days, weeks, months went by I quickly realized that my happiest moments were when I was with animals… That’s really been the case for most of my life. Unconditional love, was what saved me from disaster. That feeling that I could make a difference in someone else’s life, four paws or two legs (was also the director of a support group in the city, victims of homicide) wandering through grief, it seemed to lift the more I cared for others. So after deciding to leave the support group (to take care of myself) I decided to go back to school & get my DBTM certificate (dog behavior & training methodology) and offer my help to an animal rescue. I contacted my friend Kath Oltsher (co director of Zoes) & asked where I could help. I have the gift of the gab & love meeting people, especially those who share my passion for animals. Immediately I knew I wanted to do home checks for possible foster & adoptive homes for cats & dogs. Essentially I am Santa.. matching fur babies with loving homes. I’m filled with pride every time we place an animal. I meet people at their happiest moments, bringing a new member of the family home or possibly helping a family with a sad situation feels happiness again with a new fur ball. Either way, it’s the most therapeutic, happy, gratifying, inspiring thing I get to do. I LOVE my job… not many people can say that!
– Andrea Young
Hi there! My name’s Georgia, I’m a gorgeous Chesapeake Bay Retriever Cross, roughly 2 years old. I came into Zoe’s because I had really bad mange and desperately needed help. My daughter Buddha is also in Zoe’s care, and has bad mange. Once I’m fully recovered from my mange and gain about 8 pounds, I’ll be fully healthy and ready to go to my furever home. I’m a very sweet girl, and I love to spend time with my foster family. I LOVe playing with other dogs. There hasn’t been another animal of any kind that I haven’t gotten along with yet. I have lots of energy, and I’m doing well learning my house manners. I really like going for walks, and I’ll need a few to burn off all my energy. I would really like to find a family that will give my face scratches, snuggles, and play time outside. If you think you could be my furever home, please fill out an application on the Zoe’s website! I can’t wait to meet my new family, I know you’re out there!
Hi there! My name’s Sawyer, aren’t I such a handsome boy? I’m currently at Rabbit Hill Pet Valu – come by and meet me! I came to Zoe’s because I became too rambunctious with the smaller kids in the house. I’ll be the first one to admit that I need to learn some manners. I’m still learning not to play
using my claws or teeth, you see, I’m still just a kitten! I don’t mean to hurt someone I just may have never been taught differently. I would do best in a patient home with a structured lifestyle, and someone who will love to play with me (while using my manners of course!). I’m fine with other cats, and even dogs, but only older kids for me please! All I’m asking for is a second chance to find my furever home where I’ll be loved endlessly and get the opportunity to be the playful, sweet kitten that everyone at Zoe’s knows I truly am! If you think I could be a good fit for your family, please come visit me at the Rabbit Hill Pet Valu and fill out an adoption application! You could just be the forever home I’ve been waiting for! Xoxo, Sawyer.
Written by Kristy May
I’m Kristy, and I have always worked with animals in one way or another. In November of 2012, a customer of the kennel I worked at, brought in an akita puppy. We all gushed over him, and he told us there were more of his litter, running around a rural community near by…. So I set out on my lunch break to find them… And I did. A coworker and I managed to catch one before we had to go back to work. We ventured out the next day with extra help and a plan. We caught the remaining 5. Well, what to do with them hadn’t been considered, but I remembered a wonderful lady named Kath, who had done my home check when I adopted my heeler, earlier that year. I gave her a call and she said her rescue partner and her would be able to take them into their rescue, if we could find fosters. I took two, another employee took two, and the last two went to other employees.
That started my work with Zoes. We started making our presence known in that rural community, and started taking strays, spaying and neutering and educating owners on how to keep their pets happy and healthy.
My fosters were adopted into homes where I could watch them grow up (my neighbors adopted one), and that’s when I took on my second foster. Izumi. He never left my home
I fostered a few pups, usually ones needing some socializing and training before being adopted. I’ve also fostered tiny orphan kittens. It is an amazing feeling to see an animal grow and develop trust, when all they knew was defeat and fear. It is also amazing to see them in their forever homes, and how their families love them. It’s also heart warming to know, that we do make a difference in each and every animal we help.
In 2014, I took in Dozer, a return Zoes pup, who had developed severe fear aggression, and had a bite history. A month later, I received a call about an abandoned pitty on a farm. Both of these dogs were special cases, in that they have hard times trusting strangers, and without being 100% on the ball about what they do and are exposed to, they could end up hurting someone. So after both were up for adoption, with no luck finding homes, my fiance and I decided they had been home all along.
-Kristy May, a Zoe’s volunteer and foster
By Tawnya Summers, Cat Enthusiast, BA (Hon.)
Part of responsible pet ownership is responsible health practices, and for us, that includes sterilizing all of our dogs and cats to prevent unwanted litters.
Sterilization can be a very safe and affordable procedure. We’ve seen it firsthand at Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force clinics, and through the use of our partner vets and low-cost spay/neuter clinics around the city. If you’ve received a shocking price for alteration from your regular vet, or you’re simply looking for places to try, here are some of our favorite clinics you can turn to for another quote:
West Edmonton Spay and Neuter 6023 199 Street
Whitemud Crossing Animal Hospital 110-4211 106 Street
The Spay Clinic 10575 111 Street
Edmonton Spay and Neuter Clinic 13667 66 Street
Edmonton Humane Society PALS Program
http://www.edmontonhumanesociety.com/content/pals
Lakeside Veterinary Clinic 993 Fir Street
Montrose Pet Clinic, Inc 109-6002 29 Ave
Morinville Veterinary Clinic 9804 90 Ave
Blake Lively, one of our current adoptable dogs.
At Zoe’s, we also know that spaying and neutering does more than just help reduce the pet population… it also has many health benefits for your animals! Here are some of the other reasons veterinarians recommend altering your animals:
It is up to you and your vet to determine when you will choose to spay or neuter. Like many rescues, the Humane Societies of North America support early spay and neuter practices, and work to dispel common myths about spaying and neutering.
“Pediatric spay or neuter has been routinely and safely performed for many years now on animals from 6-12 weeks” – Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, extracted February 2015
“Medical evidence indicates that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. (Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age.)” – Humane Society of the United States, August 2014
“Females do not actually benefit from having a litter before they are spayed” – Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, extracted February 2015
“Pets become fat and lazy as a result of overeating and a lack of exercise, not from spaying or neutering” – British Columbia SPCA, extracted February 2015
Zoe’s is not paid to endorse these clinics, and we do not guarantee a lower quote or similar surgical outcome to our sterilizations.
Purple demotes some of Zoe’s Animal Rescue’s partner veterinary clinics.
Sources:
The Humane Society of the United States
Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
Whitemud Petsmart will be the venue for an especially loved up Valentine’s Day Zoe’s Adoption Event. There will be a Kissing Booth where you can get some fantastic pics of you smooching your pooch for minimum donation of only $20! Baked goods will also be available for both pets and owners. And last, but certainly not least, there will be foster pets in attendance looking for their forever homes.
Whitemud Petsmart
2066 38 Avenue
Edmonton
T6T 0B9
