Like nonprofit animal rescues everywhere, Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS) is barely holding its head above water.
SCARS is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating sick, injured, abandoned and abused animals from Alberta’s northern communities. But an unexpected combination of skyrocketing veterinary bills and rising animal intake is putting an unsustainable strain on the non-profit's resources.
This year, the organization’s veterinary bills average $100,000 per month. That’s a whopping $1 million plus annually.
“Year after year, our expenses have always grown. Last year, our veterinary bills were $90,000. They were high but never this high unless there was an emergency,” said Amanda Annetts, SCARS intake coordinator.
To pump a few extra dollars into the budget, SCARS is coordinating one of the organization’s best received annual events. Tails on the Trails Pledge Walk and Family Fun Day takes place at Lions Park on Saturday, July 12 starting at 10 a.m.
SCARS rescues animals primarily from the Athabasca, Wabasca, Calling Lake and Buffalo Lake, areas lacking in veterinary care. Callers notify the rescue when they see injured or abandoned cases.
SCARS has 15 volunteer drivers who are on call and will drive any time of day or night to pick up an animal needing emergency assistance. Currently the shelter houses 351 animals in foster care.
“We are so thankful for the amazing volunteer drivers. They are on stand-by and drive round the clock whether it’s 2 a.m. or 6 a.m. They are our lifeline. If necessary, they will drive four to eight hours to pick up an animal in distress,” Annetts said.
She cites three examples of dogs that became part of the SCARS family after they suffered and endured extraordinarily painful injuries.
Buckley, a long-haired German Shepherd cross, was brought to the attention of SCARS after his penis shaft was sliced open and he needed complex surgery to reroute his urinary tract, said Annetts.
“Nothing was covering it, and he needed emergency surgery to remove the penis and remake the urinary tract inside," said Annetts. "Now he squats like a female. He came into us, and we don’t know whether it was done by someone or something unknown.”
Instead, Squirt, a little golden puppy, arrived with his back leg mangled through some force or trauma.
“I would say it was a motor vehicle or a quad – something that was strong enough to break but not kill,” Annetts said.
Veterinarians were able to place a screw and a plate in his broken femur and reconstruct his hip. Squirt has undergone two surgeries and requires a third to the femoral head that fits like a ball into the hip socket. If not fully treated, the injury can cause healing problems. Once Squirt’s third surgery is complete, the bill will exceed $15,000.
Milo, a pit bull/rottweiler, who was likely scavenging for a meal, bit into a porcupine resulting in a face full of quills.
“His is probably one of the most heartbreaking," said Annetts. "When a dog gets quilled, it takes forever to get them out. The quills go so deep into the body, and you can’t pull them out. They migrate for months, and you eventually feel these poky sticks poking out of the body. Being quilled is one of the most traumatic injuries for animals. Quills can migrate for two months to a year.”
Although facial quill surgery usually costs anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000, many dogs are required to stay in care for up to a year until all the quills migrate out of the body.
“It’s a timely procedure and not crazy costly," said Annetts. "But because animals stay in care for so long, costs can go up to $20,000.”
As a fundraiser, Tails on the Trail is extremely important because SCARS receives no government funding. It relies strictly on sponsorships and donors from individuals and corporations.
While the main event is a walk or run, the family day also includes a barbecue, beer tent, entertainment, adoptable animals, activities, puppy yoga and a 50/50 raffle.
“SCARS is truly committed to giving these animals the second chance they deserve," Annetts said. "Your love and support can make a world of difference.”
Pledge forms and additional information are available online at scarscare.ca.
