JANUARY 2015

Spirit’s Mission

Newsletter

2015

Helping companion animals in under-served communities.

Happy New Year

JANUARY 2015

Spirit’s Mission is a registered charity that demonstrates, implements, and promotes sustainable best practices for companion animals by partnering with underserved British Columbian communities. This partnership benefits the health and wellness of the community and the companion animal population as well as enhances the human/pet bond. Spirit’s Mission formed in 2012 and became a registered society in 2013. We are a group of very experienced and dedicated animal rescuers, many of whom have volunteered previously in Animal Wellness clinics in Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Shearwater, Oweekeno, Klemtu, and Penelakut. Our Executive is comprised of five board members.

Spirit’s Mission is a proud member of Vancouver Island Animal Trainers Association.

Our organization focuses on the health and welfare of companion animals in remote First Nations and surrounding

communities in British Columbia. We are currently working within British Columbia but would like to create a successful template that can be utilized by partner groups in both BC and other provinces. The ultimate goal is to create a self-sustaining community that has the resources and tools to keep their companion animal population and thus community healthy, and to prevent pet overpopulation.

We currently have a partnership with the Saik'uz First Nations near Vanderhoof, BC and aim to work within this community for up to five years until it is self-sustaining in its management of companion animals.

President – Gail Moerkerken

Gail is past President of Big Heart Rescue and has extensive experience working with First Nations communities and attending in-field Animal Wellness and Sterilization clinics.

Vice President – Kerri-Lynne Wilson

Kerri-Lynne is a Pet First Aid instructor, a skilled and experienced foster home and has attended in-field Animal Wellness Clinics. She has volunteered with animal rescue for the past 8 years.

Who are we?

Our Executive

Saik’uz May 2014 – Gail and Saik’uz Animal Youth Team

Saik’uz May 2014 – Kerri-Lynne holding a small dog for the vet during in-field health checks.

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Treasurer – Vicki McDonald

Vicki is past President of Creston Pet Adoption and Welfare Society. She is also a bookkeeper, experienced dog trainer, veteran dog foster and is trained in animal disaster response and rescue as well as human ground search and rescue (GSAR).

Secretary – Christina Young, BSc,CTDI

Christina has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, is an experienced dog trainer, has fostered many dogs and cats, and is Pet First Aid Certified.

Director – Angela Wilson

Angela has been a nursing assistant for 25 years and works at Royal Columbian Hospital. Angela has attended in-field Wellness Clinics and has been involved in fundraising, events and home visits. She also volunteered with Wildlife Rescue Society for 12 years.

Below is the story of little Spirit, who lost her life to distemper after coming into our home. She is one of the many reasons Spirit’s Mission is dedicated to eliminating disease, neglect, and unwanted litters of dogs/cats in under-served communities.

The call came from Bella Bella just after Christmas. A pup had been immersed in gasoline and needed help, would I take her??

Within a few shorts hours this little girl was on a plane and delivered into my open arms. A wee little face, a face filled with sadness and despair looked into my eyes. I named her Spirit, for I knew she was a fighter with strength deep within her soul. Her tummy rumbled from lack of food and her rear legs wobbled back and forth…no steady gate on this little one, no playful antics of a well-loved pup, but I knew I could change that, because love can heal all wounds, can’t it? The first seizure hit a few hours after little Spirit was home, but I was not concerned. I

had previously been blessed with a loving companion, Goldie, who also had epilepsy and lived a wonderful and carefree life for 13 years. I knew what to do and how to handle this, didn’t I?

The anxious visits to the vet’s office became too numerous to remember in the few short days of Spirit’s relationship with me, and all those who came in contact with her fell immediately in love. I knew she was a survivor with a will as strong as mine, wasn’t it?

My heart smiled when the puppy kisses came freely, when the lanky paws stepped in overflowing bowls of food, when exploration of a warm and safe house became the day’s activity. And then, when the other four-legged family members looked at me with inquisitive faces, as if to ask, why does she tumble so much, why does she cry in pain, why is she so afraid, I could only answer with, she has not ever known enough love and I can change that, can’t I ?

Yet on New Year’s Eve, all the cuddles, warmth, love and medical miracles could not save little Spirit. She was overcome with a massive seizure, was unconscious and experienced additional seizures on the frantic five-minute drive to the vet’s office.

As the vet approached with kind and reassuring words the tears flowed. I knew that my love and devotion could not restore her health, didn’t I? It was discovered that Spirit had distemper and not epilepsy, though she was a valiant fighter with the will of a warrior, she did not have a fighting chance. Spirit was wrapped in her favourite blanket, cuddled in my arms like a new-born babe. I softly told little Spirit that she was a blessing, that she had brought such joy into my life and while I was grateful for her gift, it was time for her to be at peace and move into my father’s awaiting arms because he knew this little girl was on her way to be with him, always safe, loved and cherished, as every soul should be, shouldn’t they!

My life is forever changed because of a pup named Spirit, and I will continue on with her presence beside me, as I work for those who have no voice. Thank you Spirit for your courage and love, you have touched my heart and I will remain forever changed.

With gratitude,

Gail

Saik’uz May 2014 – Vicki admiring a handsome dog that is waiting to see a vet for vaccinations, parasite control and a health check.

Saik’uz May 2014 – Angela cuddling a pup who was brought into the Animal Wellness Clinic for vaccinations, deworming and health check.

Christina and one of her 3 dogs, Maxi.

Who is Spirit?

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Saik’uz First Nation is located approximately 14km outside of Vanderhoof, BC. Saik’uz wants to work with Spirit’s Mission to help the community with their companion animals to help keep them under control and healthy. Saik’uz had been having problems with straying and packing dogs and wants a proactive approach to dealing with the animals.

Straying animals are susceptible to being hit by vehicles, injured, and shot. Diseases and parasites run rampant in straying populations and transference from strays to pets is common. Many of these diseases are also zoonotic e.g. rabies, parasites, etc. Dogs form packs which can be dangerous to community

Saik’uz is very involved in the project by providing in-kind and financial contributions as well as the many hands-on community volunteers. In May 2014, Spirit’s Mission hosted by Saik’uz held a well-received Animal Wellness Clinic where a team of 2 vets, a vet technician, and several experienced volunteers worked together over 3 days to provide animal health care. Partnering rescues from Crooked Leg Ranch (Quesnel) and West Coast Rottweiler Rescue (Vancouver) were also in attendance. Dogs and cats were

examined, vaccinated, de-flead, dewormed, de-matted, and treated for minor injuries/illnesses. Spaying and neutering was encouraged and a list was put together to have the animals transported and sterilized at vet clinics in Vanderhoof. Spirit’s Mission along with partnering rescues have provided thousands of pounds of dog and cat food for the emergency food bank with the result that dogs are no longer harassing the school kids for their lunch. In addition, animal welfare bylaws and in-house animal welfare budgeting by Saik’uz are being worked toward. Our aim is to create a self-sustainable community with respect to companion animal care and control. We anticipate the need for our assistance to decrease every year as the animal problems becomes manageable. We aim to have this community be a success story to encourage other communities to participate therefore creating a healthier community for both pets and people.

Since our partnership with Saik’uz in 2013

Over 100 dogs and cats were seen during the Animal Wellness Clinic. Animals received health exams, vaccinations (including Rabies), minor wound care, de-worming and parasite control

Over 50 dogs/cats

spayed/neutered, de-wormed, vaccinated, and treated for injuries

Approximately 20

animals re-homed through rescue partners

Approximately $10,000

spent on vetting Thousands of pounds of

food delivered for the emergency food bank

Dog houses and over 50

bales of straw delivered

Saik’uz – Our Partnering Community

Progress in Saik’uz since our partnership in 2013

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Pub Night

On April 19, 2014 we held a Pub Night fundraiser for our 2014 Animal Wellness Clinic. This was hosted by the Skol Pub on Gabriola Island and was a great success. We raised over $6000.

Santa Pictures

Our fabulous volunteers Ron and Karen Potter put on a pet pictures with Santa day hosted by Nanaimo Bosley's on Bowen Rd on November 29

th and

Bosley's North, across from Woodgrove Mall on Dec 6th. Everyone had a fantastic time at this successful event

Bracelets

Joanne Caldwell is a volunteer with Spirit’s Mission who is making beautiful bracelets with a message. These bracelets are made from recycled choke and prong collars.

Choke chains and prong collars, by design, are utilized by training techniques that are negative and punishment based. Positive reinforcement training is safer and produces faster and better results with much happier animals. We owe it to our dogs to communicate positively when they do what we want rather than negatively when their response is not what we want. Help educate people about positive reinforcement training. Spread the word!

For more information on your very own custom made bracelet please contact Joanne directly at jncaldwell@gmail.com

Horse Hair Bracelets

Kerri-Lynne Wilson is making horse-hair bracelets with partial proceeds donated to Spirit’s Mission. Custom bracelets using your own horse’s hair can also be made. For more information contact Kerri-Lynne directly at kerter@shaw.ca

There are many ways you can help Spirit’s Mission!

1) Financial donations via cheque, Paypal or Canada Helps http://spiritsmission.com/donate

2) Sign up to Volunteer, Adopt of Foster. Check out our applications at spiritsmission.com/applications

3) Do you buy Island Farms products? Collect UPC codes , bundle them in groups of 50 and mail to Spirit’s Mission PO Box 95, Gabriola, BC V0R1X0. Those of you in the Nanaimo area can drop off your Island Farms UPCs at Coco Cafe at 1840 Cedar Road in Cedar.

4) Shop at Canadian Tire? If you have any Canadian Tire money laying around in a cookie jar, or in a drawer, or crumpled up in a ball in your pocket, why not mail it to Spirit’s Mission ? Mail to Spirit’s Mission PO Box 95, Gabriola, BC V0R1X0.

5) You can help with Aeroplan Airmiles! We sure could use them to offset some of the expenses of traveling to remote locations. www.beyondmiles.aeroplan.com/eng/charity/600

Fundraising

Gail, President of Spirit’s Mission, gets “pied” in a fundraising event at the pub night.

Ron Potter as Santa

Interested in Helping?

Our wonderful volunteers unloading straw bales used to insulate doghouses and help keep dogs from freezing during the bitter winter.

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Our Rescue Partners

A huge thank-you to our fellow Rescue and Veterinary Partners!

Crooked Leg Ranch Society –

based in Quesnel CLR has been invaluable in transporting petfood, supplies and animals in and out of Saik’uz as well as providing volunteers at our Animal Wellness Clinic.

West Coast Rottweiler Rescue - a BC based rescue helping Rottweilers and large dogs, WCRR has provided funding for spaying/neutering and medical care for Saik’uz dogs. They also have provided volunteer assistance at our Animal Wellness Clinic as well as transportation for petfood and supplies.

Ruff Times End/Meow Rescue – based in Prince George this society is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary of surrendered, homeless, and unwanted companion animals in northern British Columbia. They have accepted homeless pets from Saik’uz.

Victoria Humane Society – is based

in Victoria BC and provides a safe haven and new hope for sick, injured or homeless BC animals with a specific focus on assisting animals in rural and remote communities. VHS has accepted many homeless pets from Saik’uz.

These amazing veterinary clinics have supported and assisted us.

Nechako Valley Animal Health Services

Vanderhoof Veterinary Clinic

Twin Cedars Veterinary Clinic

Mosquito Creek Veterinary Clinic

Petroglyph Animal Hospital

These kittens were taken into foster care.

This old fellow was taken into foster care.

Spirit’s Mission Rescue Society PO Box 95 Gabriola, BC V0R 1X0 Email: spiritsmission@shaw.ca Web: www.spiritsmission.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/spiritsmission

A huge shout-out to our wonderful volunteers. Without these kind souls we wouldn’t be able to do the work we do. If you would like to volunteer, we would love to hear from you.