The story of Survivor

Survivor

Berger Blanc states that while the SPCA’s mandate is to protect animals, theirs is to protect us, that they are an animal control company, not an animal welfare organization . The story of Survivor is proof that Quebec animals need our protection, much more than we need to be protected from them. And we clearly need an organization we can trust to help when needed. Here is the message that the CAACQ received from Caroline (from French) :

Here is the story of Survivor, a little dog that we found abandoned in the district of Mercier in Montreal on September 12th.

On our way to work by bicycle, we noticed him, not realizing that it was a dog. I was afraid of him at first, I couldn’t imagine that this animal I saw was a dog he was so skinny, scrawny, weak. When we called, he came to us, timid at first, but immediately so affectionate, begging for hugs and attention.

His physical condition was so terrible, to the point where my husband and I cried. I wasn’t able to stop crying. To see him still alive in this state, for someone who has the slightest respect for animals, is simply inconceivable and unbearable. In Montreal. In 2011.

We picked up the car and brought him to the vet. Along the way, good Samaritans gave him food and we were guided to the vet. Everyone who saw him was shocked.

The vet referred us first to Berger Blanc. I refused, saying I would pay the vet fees. In talking with her then, the vet advised us to call them to see if anyone was looking for him, mentioning that she would not bring him there, as their clinic did not trust them and that they did not believe that things had changed in spite of what the City is trying to make people think. And by looking at the list of veterinarians who work there, it was not reassuring…

After getting confirmation that he would come through, despite all he has lived, he did not seem to have any illness other than his malnutrition, we returned home with him. I contacted Berger Blanc and they told us to bring them the dog. I refused because I didn’t want him to be euthanized. Without demanding his description, I was told that either I bring him in, or I should deal with him on my own by making posters… When I said people must contact them when searchiing for their animals, they said no…

So I contacted the CAACQ as the vet advised me. And we are looking after him until we find him a family. This dog is so gentle and loving and so physically and emotionally depleted. I don’t understand that horrible things like this can happen in my city and that people close their eyes. Things must change. I am ashamed of my city and what humans do to animals.

Hoping that things change and that Survivor will help the animal cause.

Caroline Chaussé
Montreal

So sadly, we don’t need to go far to find our own Patrick, and we can’t continue to shut our eyes. If anyone has any information to share about Survivor, please come forward.

UPDATE :-SEPT 19TH : Great news! Survivor is now sporting the new name Chiko, and has been adopted by his rescuers!

UPDATE : Much as they loved him, his rescuers couldn’t keep him, he’s looking for a new loving home via Sophie’s Dog Adoption.

Paws & Pray

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The “Paws & Pray” service on Sunday November 7th, 2010 (1:00 p.m.) will include a “Memorial Service”, offering those who have experienced loss through the death of their companion animal an opportunity to give thanks and to give expression to their grief, sorrow and sense of loss. Participants are welcome to bring remembrances of their companion animal, such as collars, identification tags, photos, ashes etc. to be blessed. All are welcome (with or without a companion canine).

“Paws & Pray” is a special celebration of Holy Communion held on the first Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Church, Beaurepaire particularly designed for companion dogs and their human guardians. At “Paws & Pray” we celebrate and give thanks for creation and all creatures, and especially those we have domesticated, called our friends, and welcomed them into our homes and our lives.

My Passport Home + Adoption day

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” My passport home” is an initiative to promote the I.D. of all companion pets on the Island of Montreal. Too many are killed needlessly since they are not claimed and in many instances frantic guardians are searching for their pets and do not know where to begin. A micro chip will provide the names and coordinates of the guardians in an instant and ensure a safe return home.

Dogs and cats will be available for adoption from 2:00pm till 4:00pm

Important notice about Berger Blanc

This post comes after receiving an email from a very distraught pet owner, who learned that Berger Blanc does not keep files on lost pets for more than 30 days. This is an odd practice, since I think most are well aware that pets can be lost much longer. Furthermore, she learned there are no details kept on animals that came in, whether they were euthanized or sold! It’s very important to be aware of this when searching for a lost pet. Be sure that you have an active file, (if you have one at all, as my understanding is that they don’t open files on lost cats at present!?). More importantly, go to check in person as often as you can, as having a file is not a guarantee that you’ll be notified that your pet is there either.

This being the case, it’s important that if you find a lost animal, you realize that the likelihood that it will be reunited with it’s family if brought to Berger Blanc is hampered by the fact that there’s a good chance that they don’t have a record that it was lost, and furthermore, it likely won’t be kept long enough for the owner to have a real chance to check! This is especially the case with a cat that could have been lost for months! Add on to this that they’re far away from many of the neighbourhoods they serve, and that they don’t publish their strays, and the difficulties become obvious.

Also, if an animal needs medical help, please don’t think that there will be any major interventions taken by a city shelter. (This would be true of any pound.)

So what should you do if you’ve found a stray? Ideally, if it doesn’t have a tag, you should check with a vet if it’s microchipped. If it’s not, then check for posters and listings, and also list it yourself. The SPCA will also publish it on their strays page. Try to do everything to get it back home, and if you can, keep it with you until you do! (Also, be sure that he’s claimed by his real owner.) This all might be inconvenient, but would be a very honorable thing to do! Realize too, that a cat could have been lost for a very long time! If you’re not able to keep it with you, or can’t find it’s owner, then try to find a no kill shelter. And if your intention is to bring it directly to the Berger Blanc, then honestly I believe you should just leave it where it is if it’s not in danger!

I think it would be a great service if those going to Berger Blanc would keep an eye out for each others pets when there, (I know some already do), since it is too far away for many people to visit regularly! If you check for others, they might check for you! And please keep collars and tags on your pets, and/or microchip, to be sure they have the best chance of getting home!

New – send me your poster photos!

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It seems that every time I walk my dog, I come across a poster for a lost pet. I also know that there’s an entire secteur of the population, who might not consider using the net as a tool. And from time to time I get people submitting found pets that they’re certain that they saw a poster for, but can no longer find the ad. I know I always have some kind of camera on me, so I’ll start to take photos too!

So…I invite you to send me photos of posters you come across, and I’ll list it in a photo gallery. There will only be a few simple guidelines.

  • I would need the district and street where you took the photo.
  • The information on the  photo has to be legible,
  • It shouldn’t be listed on the site already, either as a photo, or a post.
  • If the pet is later submited to the site for posting, the photo will be removed, (to avoid duplication).

That’s it! I’ll make another page of poster photos, so that you might be lucky enough to find your lost or found pet there! Of course, I won’t be able to follow up on whether the info is still valid, so I’ll likely just leave them up for a set time. And if by chance you know what their status is, please let me know!

Important notice to residents of N.D.G.

There is a warning being put out for pet owners in the the area of N.D.G. It’s believed someone has been putting out antifreeze to poison skunks in the area. It’s recommended that you keep your pets inside! It’s also advised to bring your own water when taking your dogs to area parks. There is a report on the CTV news website : http://montreal.ctv.ca/

Very disturbing, please keep your pets safe!

Notice to residents of St-Barthélemy – case of animal cruelty

I received an email today that I thought I should share. To lose a pet is already distressing, so to find that it’s been a victim of violence is unimaginable. If you’re from this area, or know anyone who resides there, I think it’s important not only that you keep an eye on your pets, but that the person responsible for the crime be caught. This is the notice, translated from French :

We are the Canine Center of St. Barthelemy, and are acting as temporary Animal Control for the city of St-Barthélemy. This weekend, we had a case of animal cruelty and I think it is important to expose this situation. The dog a male Mastiff cross, was shot on the Bel-Autumn street in St-Barthélemy. The dog’s owner had notified the municipality of his disappearance, and we were looking for him. The dog was found wounded in a ditch at the height of address 1700. The person who enacted this crime, did not bother to finish the deed. Quite the contrary, it had been dumped by tractor near the home of its owners. A nice message from the barbarian who lives in our community. I think it is important that people who live on this street be advised to protect their dogs against the person who could act again. So if you are a citizen of St-Barthélemy, pass this message. This could be your dog, my dog. The law prohibits the use of firearms in this manner. If you have any information on this crime, it would be important to contact us at 450-885-3587 and ask for Rene or Julie, we’ll put you in contact with the detective from la Sureté du Québec, who is investigating this issue. As for the dog, it has been seen by a veterinarian. We wish him a speedy recovery. And please, give this message to as many people as possible.

original source : http://elevagecanin-st-barthelemy.com/pages/controleur-canin.php

A small improvement

To make things easier I’ve added a link to the original post on each of the sidebar thumbnails. Now if you click through the slideshow and are looking for details they’ll be easier to find. All the animals presently listed as lost or found on the blog can be found there. (When they’re reunited they’re removed to give priority to the still missing.)

A little plug

I’ve added a new link on the side. Part of my morning routine, after I’ve fed my pets, is to go to this site and feed the shelter animals. It costs nothing and the cumulative effect is amazing. Between July and December of 2008 they raised 33.5 million bowls of food just from visitors clicking on their site. That’s on top of the 6.3 million from purchases.

You can also go there from here :

The Animal Rescue Site

New Links

Just a note to mention that I’ve added a few new links to some rescues that visitors might not be familiar with. They don’t have lost and found listings necessarily, although on occasion they might put up a courtesy listing, and they are good to know about as often people who find lost animals will contact them.

Submissions request!

If at all possible, and in the interest of speeding up submissions, bilingual submissions are much appreciated! I understand if you’re not able but any help is appreciated. I believe the site will be a smashing success. I started it in the hopes of making a difference, and I love a great idea; it’s strength being also that its target is local. But in the meantime it’s a project borne of love and there’s no money in the budget for a translator! Hopefully I’ll transition it to fully bilingual in the future. Think of your submissions as you would the poster you might put up!

Thanks!