An Okotoks market is going to the dogs – but that’s a good thing.
A portion of the proceeds from this weekend’s Ma’s For a Cause Market are going towards Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation. Heaven Can Wait is currently caring for eight of the 201 dogs which were rescued from a facility in Milk River which received national attention for being neglected and underfed.
“I was trying to do my own fundraiser to start and through the Okotoks Moms’ Circle on Facebook I realized there was one going,” said Susan Rabichuk, a real estate agent with Century 21. “I just asked if I could participate.”
There will be some special guests at the fund-raising bazaar at the Crystal Shores Beach House this Saturday.
Kim Hessel president of Heaven Can Wait is going to bring some animals from the shelter, located just south of High River in the MD of Foothills. There is the possibility two of the Milk River dogs will be there.
“I am playing it a little bit by ear but truthfully, I think two of them are ready to go in terms of meeting people and just being able for people to say hi to them because there has been so much attention in these dogs,” Hessel said.
The Milk River dogs are not yet ready for adoption.
“We are three to four weeks away before I start talking about adoption,” she said. “But they are ready to have a little visit with the public.”
Hessel said the dogs are doing well. “Their weight is coming on slow and steady and they are all looking good,” Hessel said. “We still have some weight gain to go on six of the dogs...
“Now we are looking on basic commands and starting to get them used to the leash.”
It’s part of Heaven Can Wait giving back to the communities after the Milk River incident hit the public in late January.
“We have donations come in as far as Newfoundland to obviously Calgary, Okotoks, High River and into B.C. and Edmonton. People have really taken this situation to heart, Hessel said.
“Fundraisers like this (the Ma’s for a Cause Market) people just want to help and we are so appreciative.”
Although the Milk River dogs have received plenty of attention, Heaven Can Wait has been helping stray, abandoned and/or abused dogs and cats for approximately two decades. It housed hundreds of pets which were rescued from the High River flood of 2013.
At present there are 175 cats and 49 dogs at its facility south of High River.
Heaven Can Wait also has an adoption facility for cats in High River.
The Ma’s for Cause Market runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Beach House on March 7. Donations for pet food, toys and money will be accepted for Heaven Can Wait.
For more information about the market and Heaven Can Wait go to www.heavencanwait.ca
