Introducing Bear!

What? You already know Bear?

You're nodding that you know all about Bear who came from Oweekeno was shaved and needed major surgery, starred in a video, recovered, got adopted and came back?

That was BHR's up for adoption Bear.

This

is BHR's Forever Foster "I'mnotleavingandI'mblockingthisdoorsonobodyelseleaveseither" Bear

Yes, it's true. Bear is staying here forever and ever (and knowing the stubborn old goat, it's possible he'll live forever and ever). Due to a number of health issues, as well as the separation anxiety which he exhibited while adopted (and which he shows no signs of here with his furry buddies) BHR and the hornblower clan have decided that this is Bear's home now.

I'z blocking the door againz!

Welcome home Teddy Bear!

I can blockz back doorz too!

*outdoor photos are courtesy of our awesome photographer friend. Indoor shots are mine :-)

And here are two recent news stories about Big Heart Rescue, featuring photos of the dude himself & links to the Pepsi Refresh Everything site, where BHR needs your votes to win funding to start a mobile Spay & Neuter clinic for remote BC communities. We need to get animal population under control in all areas. With your help in promoting spay and neuter, adoption, and responsible pet ownership, the deaths of thousands of homeless pets can be prevented. Please support our work by voting, donating, volunteering and choosing to adopt a homeless pet!

Vancouver Sun

Examiner



full text of articles below the jump - for posterity, just in case they eventually get bumped off the media servers.

Mobile Animal Surgical Unit will help increase the numbers of dogs sterilized in First Nations Communities

One of the biggest challenges facing animal rescue organizations is ensuring dogs are spayed and neutered to help deal with pet overpopulation.

One answer is getting veterinarians to places where dogs are running free. The Big Heart Rescue organization focuses on unwanted animals in remote First Nations communities, such as Bella Bella, Klemtu, Bella Coola, Oweekeno and Kuper Island. Working in partnership with First Nations in those communities they have helped  to sterilize animals by flying the dogs off site to clinics in the Lower Mainland.

But they say there is a better, more economical way. They want to get a Mobile Animal Surgical Unit so volunteer veterinarians and vet techs can go to these remote communities and sterilize more animals, helping to reduce the packs of roaming dogs. Fewer unwanted litters means better health for exisiting animals, said Big Heart Rescue president Gail Moerkerken. 

The organization has applied to the Pepsi Refresh Challenge for a $100,000 grant to buy, equip and run the mobile surgical unit. They estimate the unit would reduce the cost of sterilizations by 50 per cent. To vote go to their website at www.bigheartrescue.com.

The organization, which has been around since the 1990s, has also found homes for about 500 rescue dogs. Like Bella above, who is a mixed breed of unknown history who was flown to Big Heart Rescue. As a puppy she was abused and had a severe hip injury along with a displaced bladder. Bella underwent bladder surgery, performed by her new owner - a vet.

Below, is Bear, who is a Newfoundlander cross who was rescued after he was run over by a car in a remote community but his injuries were left untreated. When Big Heart Rescue found out about him they contacted Pacific Coastal Airlines who flew Bear to the Lower Mainland for free. His surgery costs $6,000 -  money that was raised by the organization which continues to pay any of his future vet bills since Bear is considered a "forever foster.

Big hearts bring critical care to remote communities

British Columbia, Canada’s third largest province, is larger than any American state with the exception of Alaska.  Like the rest of Canada, a large percentage of BC’s vast geography is uninhabitable.  The approximate population is 4,500,000, while its American neighbour, Washington State, has a population of approximately 6,500,000.  While the majority of the BC population is centred in and around Vancouver, BC is populated with many rural and diverse communities.  Because of the geography, many of these communities are extremely isolated. Some are only accessible via water and/or air.

Many of these communities have limited access to many essential services, such as health care, running water and telecommunications.  Not surprising, veterinary care is virtually non-existent.   Pet overpopulation and disease can quickly become out of control and it is not uncommon for a community to respond by undertaking a mass cull (killing).

In the 1990’s, Independent animal rescuer Gail Moerkerken received a call from an old friend who desperately wanted to help the animals in Bella Bella (Waglisla), a remote Aboriginal coastal community.  Moerkerken was not prepared for what she would witness when she first visited this community, which is only accessible via boat or plane.

“There were dead dogs on the side of the road, dogs roaming in packs and parvo and distemper were rampant” she recalled, “We stood on the beach and cried, we didn’t even know where to begin”

But they did what anyone committed to the welfare of animals would do, they went to work and 15 years later, Big Heart Rescue Society (BHR) has transformed the health and well being of animals in five remote coastal communities.   In addition to Bella Bella (Waglisla), BHR provides veterinary care to Bella Coola, Owekeeno,  Penelakut (formally known as Kuper) and Klemtu.  With veterinary expenses at $40,000 – 50,000 a year, coupled with transportation challenges, BHR is only able to make two visits a year, with a rotating schedule for each community.  But despite these challenges, their work is making a significant difference.  According to Moerkerken, there has not been a case of parvo or distemper in Bella Bella in eight years.

In addition to ensuring animals receive proper veterinary care; Big Heart Society is working with each community to empower them to improve the overall welfare of these animals.  Each community must commit to a ban of mass culling and develop a five year plan towards improving animal welfare.  The ultimate goal is that after five years, the community will have processes in place to ensure the well being of their animals and BHR will continue to provide veterinary care.

While BHR has made tremendous progress, their success is limited by the inaccessibility to these communities.  Currently, animals requiring veterinary procedures, other than vaccinations must be transported out, treated and then transported back to their community. Not only does this create significant logistical issues, due to lack of transportation options and cargo space, but it also causes tremendous stress on the animals. 

In response,  BHR has entered the Pepsi Refresh contest to purchase a mobile sterilization unit. With a mobile unit, it would be possible to help more animals more frequently, in more communities each year.  Animals could receive surgical procedures such as sterilizations in the mobile unit and would not have to undergo such stress.  The care team, including the veterinarians will remain unpaid, and all funds will go towards helping animals that without BHR, their chances of a long and healthy life are minimal. 

With headlines already rampant with horrific stories of animal abuse in metropolitan areas, it is easy to forget about the conditions that so many animals in remote communities are living in.  At least now we can rest assure, that five communities are receiving support and it should behove us not to want to do all we can to support the efforts of these tireless volunteers.

To support BHR you can vote for them online at http://www.refresheverything.ca/bigheartrescue and you can cast a vote daily until April 30th.

For more information on Big Heart Rescue visit http://bigheartrescue.com/?page_id=155. 

You can also come and meet them in Vancouver at The Petnershop Project, April 30- May 1.  http://www.petnerships.com/The-Petnership-Project
But don’t wait to meet them before you vote, or it will be too late.

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