Help with Heart
by Bill Stuart, Monday Magazine (A Division of Black Press) 5 Mar 08
Animals are mostly able to look after themselves, but from time to time, our furry friends sometimes need a helping hand. No one knows this more than the folks at the Big Heart Rescue Society. We asked BHRS vice president Jenn Wagnor about the organization and what they do to help pets in need.
Monday: What is the Big Heart Rescue Society?
Jenn Wagnor: We are a non-profit registered charity that rescues abused, neglected and abandoned dogs in need. It is 100 percent volunteer-run with no paid staff or overhead expenses. In turn 100 percent of donations received actually do go directly to the animals in our care.
Monday: How does Big Heart Rescue differ from other animal rescue groups?
JW: We will help wherever we can but our hearts are with those severe cases that many groups will not take on. Very old, very sick or very scared. We have spent over $8,000 each on two dogs’ vet bills and will do it again in a heartbeat if need be. Our vet bills now average over $60,000 per year and we are not assisting thousands of animals, so quick math will tell you we have some expensive dogs come through our doors. To spend $3,000 on vet care for a dog would be normal to us. Add on high end food, training and rehab and you can see why we need the donations to continue to come in.
Monday: Are there special considerations people should take into account when adopting a pet?
JW: Absolutely. Investigate the group you are wanting to adopt from. An ethical rescue organization will have many screening steps to insure a perfect match between the companion animal and the potential adopters. We have an application, we check references, call vets, call landlords, do intense home checks where we interview the entire family and check the home environment—and all this is done before the potential family meets the dog in question. We then have a meet -and-greet where we make sure there is a match in both directions. Not only does the family need to love the dog—the dog has to love and connect with the family right away also. The final step is an adoption contract which should clearly state that for any reason, the companion can be returned to the rescue organization.
Monday: What can folks do to help the Big Heart Rescue cause?
JW: We are always in need of foster homes. Being a foster family is really easy. We pay for everything and you show a dog love temporarily. You bring a dog into your home to live as a part of your family, sometimes do training, sometimes do socializing with other dogs, sometimes bring [a dog] back to health—or sometimes nothing special is needed and they just need a place to stay until their forever home comes along to adopt them.
Monday: Even though the Big Heart Rescue fundraiser isn’t for a few months, what should people know about the event?
JW: Big Heart Rescues Spring Gala Fundraiser is our biggest fundraiser of the year by far and it is so much fun. This year it will be held at Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. We will max out the ballroom at 300 people and are looking to sell out quite quickly. Tickets include an amazing buffet, wine on the tables, door prizes and lots of surprises. The night consists of hundreds of auction items from every price range under the sun. Everything from a $10 gift certificate up to a $5,000 piece of art. Our goal is to raise over $30,000 this year—and we hope there are lots of dog lovers in Victoria that will come to our event and help us make this possible. Auction items are still very much needed. If anyone is interested in donating an item to our night (item/gift certificate/service), no matter how big or small please do contact me.
Please contact Big Heart Rescue for more information about our Programs.
