Santa’s Elves have been busy this year collecting food for animals in need. Perfect Pastures Animal Sanctuary in Delta has sent roughly 2400 pounds of donated dog and cat food to Bella Coola’s Dog Town Animal Rescue and both Hodgson’s Freightways and All West Freight have generously offered to deliver the much needed food to Bella Coola free of charge.
The timing couldn’t have been better - the first shipment arrived via Hodgson’s Freightways just before Christmas and is the first of four expected this year. Winter months are often the worst for dogs and cats that don’t have regular home care and with the arrival of these two pallets, many of the valley’s companion animals at risk will not go hungry.
Dog Town volunteers operate on a very limited budget but are extremely grateful for the funding and in- kind donations it receives. 2017 saw Dog Town the recipient of a $1000 Grant-In-Aid donation from the Central Coast Regional District, an $800 Sponsorship Funding donation from the Williams Lake and District Credit Union, a $75 donation from End of The Road Coffee and numerous personal donations totaling over $800 as well as re-homing travel to Vancouver from Pacific Coastal Airlines and in-kind dog and cat food support from Bosley’s Pet Foods in Williams Lake and Big Heart Rescue in Vancouver.
Dog Town’s plans for 2018 are anything but small having just learned that due to a shortage of available veterinarians in Williams Lake, veterinary service to the valley will not happen again this year. With the help of its supporting partners and with the addition of a few new ones; Dog Town is hoping to bring a three to four day veterinary clinic to the Valley and will be calling upon community members for in-kind donations of lodging, transportation and a venue for the clinic.
With such a lofty goal Dog Town welcomes any and all support to this project as it will truly take a village. For further information please contact Robyn Willis, Rita Svisdahl or Krista Gunderson.