Golf Tournament Fundraiser at the Ironhead

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Golf season is in full swing! What better way to work on your wedge or perfect your putt than by playing 18 holes in the Paul Band First Nation Gold Tournament Fundraiser! Whether you are a pro golfer, hobbyist or an animal lover, you will love the 6, 835 yards of luscious greens situated right beside the sunny shores of Lake Wabamun.

Your entry fee will cover registration of a four person team, golf cart rental, green fees and delicious steak dinner. PLUS chances to win many fabulous prizes – the first place team takes home a cash prize of $2000!!

Proceeds from this event will go towards the ASNTF Spay and Neuter Clinic scheduled for the end of June. Spay and Neuter Clinics have a tremendous impact on the communities that host them as well as providing much needed veterinary care to hundreds of animals.

Email Precilla Gully at [email protected] to register!

FORE!!!

Foster of the Week: Jamba Juice

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Miniature Schnauzer??

Pft!

I am NOT miniature. What are these people talking about?? I mean, I guess I’m a little short, but miniature? Not a chance.

You know what else I take issue with? My foster mom saying I have a “little attitude.” Double pft!!  I don’t have an attitude, I have PERSONALITY. And not the fake Cheez Whiz kind of personality; I am authentically amazing. And seriously sweet – that’s one thing my foster mom and I agree on. I love snuggly cuddles!

I’m feeling so much better these days, huge thanks to Zoe’s! When Zoe’s rescued me I had uncontrolled diabetes, they said my blood sugar was in the thirties when it should have been in the single digits. I was kind of a mess. But now I get insulin shots twice a day and I’m on special food. I’m also on medication to help with Cushing’s Disease, but that’s just one pill a day. And I’m blind. Cataracts from my diabetes being untreated for so long. But that’s it! I promise! Other than the diabetes, the Cushing’s and the blindness, I’m AWESOME! Haha!

That sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? It’s not really. And my foster mom says I’m totally worth it. Which I am, obviously.

I don’t let any of my medical issues get in the way of my awesomeness. In fact, I think it gives me some advantages. Like making one of my foster siblings my personal seeing eye dog. I didn’t even need to get on a wait list for that! I also made up a fun game with squeaky toys. They are my favourite, I like to throw them and then try to figure out where they ended up. Sighted dogs can’t play that game. Cause they can SEE where the toy went! (Ba dum bum CHING!)

No way am I letting a few medical issues hold me down! And now that they are all under control, I’m ready to find my forever home. My biggest request is patience and dedication. I need people who will be patient with me while I learn to adjust to my new surroundings and I need dedicated people who will continue with my medical needs. And I need snuggly people! Non-snugglers need not apply.

If your couch has empty spot, lemme fill it for you! Head on over to my bio to find out more information and apply to adopt me!

Foster of the Week: Heather Willow

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Hello, I’m Heather Willow. Pleased to meet you.

Would you like to settle in for a cup of tea while I tell you a little about myself?

I can’t remember exactly where I came from, but I do know I ended up here.  Last summer, my wanderings landed me at a house. The people who lived in the house were very sweet, offering me food, water, and a safe place to sleep. So I stuck around for a while. Who wouldn’t, right? The people figured I had to have a family somewhere, so they took me to Animal Care & Control to try to find my people. Unfortunately no one claimed me and I wasn’t chipped or tattooed; there was no way to find out if I did indeed have a family.

I stayed at the shelter for a short while, but I was very anxious and uncomfortable. Some cats just aren’t made for shelter life. Thankfully Zoe’s found a foster home for me quite quickly. I was still very scared and timid, but not nearly as much as I was in the shelter. And here I have been for the last few months.

Living permanently indoors isn’t so bad. I’m still quiet, a bit shy and calm, but I don’t hide or jump at every noise anymore. In fact, now that I’ve settled in, I can be quite playful! My foster mom has a laser pointer that I just LOVE to chase around. She sets up a sort of obstacle course full of noisy toys and makes me run into them while chasing the red laser dot. It’s so much fun!!

There are two senior cats in my foster home, we get along great! We are really good at snoozing together. We play sometimes too, but those community cat naps are the bees knees! I’d really like to have another cat or two in my forever home. I like my cat friends like I like my forever home: calm and relaxed.

Maybe your home is the right home for me? Check out more about me and apply to adopt me here!

Joan Rivers Meets Dave Ozubko #RealtortotheRescue

At our recent adoption event, Dave Ozubko stopped by to meet Joan Rivers.

Check out his video with a bit of her story:

[fb-post href=https://www.facebook.com/Dave.Ozubko/posts/10205135552342014]

Foster of the Week: Willow

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Willow here!

I’m back for my second feature as Foster of the Week because I have so much to update you with!

I have been living at the most AMAZING foster home. Big open spaces, tons of time outside, laying in the grass and enjoying gorgeous sunsets…. My foster mom is a dream come true. She has been working so patiently hard to help me overcome my issues. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but this girl has been learning LOTS.

I have a lot of anxiety around other dogs. I get scared and don’t react in the most lady-like manner. But I am slowly learning that other dogs are ok, they aren’t going to hurt me. When I see the other dogs through the fence, I don’t defensively growl anymore. I actually get a bit excited, bark a little and wiggle my bum. My foster mom says this is great progress and one day I might even get to play with the other dogs! Until then, we are working on calming techniques and reinforcing that the other dogs won’t hurt me.

I still LOVE walks as much as ever, I literally JUMP for joy when I hear my leash jangling. However my fear and anxiety shouts out if I encounter another dog while on a walk. Still a work in progress…. There’s a quiet gravel road here, that’s my favourite place to stroll. I’ve also been doing a lot of treadmill walking, I’m kind of a treadmill pro….

My foster mom spends tons of one-on-one time with me, it’s been wonderful for my confidence and anxiety. We do target play and muzzle training, I’m starting to understand – and enjoy – praise and treats. My forever home must be willing to continue my training. It will help us bond as well as keep me mentally healthy. It can also be fun!! I’m learning that, too!

My foster mom helped me discover that I very much enjoy having a crate. It’s my safe space – a MUST MUST MUST for nervous and anxious dogs like myself. I have some cozy blankets arranged for optimum comfort and snoozability. My foster mom doesn’t put me in my crate when she goes out, I do just fine! Sometimes I will wander in on my own for a nap.

I’ve always been a pretty awesome gal: well-behaved, excellent on a leash, great with children (I *really* like kids, actually), energetic, happy and full of love. I just have some fears and anxiety. Don’t we all? I’m working hard to become more balanced and better able to manage my fears. I’m ready to try this forever home thing again.

If you’re looking for a sweetheart of a gal for long walks and lazy days enjoying nature, hit me up!!

Foster of the Week: Sedona

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You know it’s hard out here for a cat
When she’s trying to find a space she can rent
Cause my owners said enough time’s been spent
Aint’ no trouble, I’ll find pad where I can sit.

Sorry, I just Netflix’d Hustle & Flow. Sometimes I get a little too involved in my shows.

I’m Sedona. A few months ago Zoe’s found me wandering stray. They took me in, found my chip, and contacted my owners. But they didn’t want me back. Harsh, right? No bother, I’ll find another warm lap where I can Netflix and chill!

That’s my favourite way to spend a day: cuddled up with a human, purrrrrfectly absorbed in good television. I’m also a big fan of heating pad naps with a musical accompaniment. Rough life, eh? Everyone should be so lucky to spend some time as a cat. Or at least with a cat.

Lucky for you, I’m available and willing to be the cat you live vicariously through. We can cuddle and conquer the screen world, one series at a time.

But, um, no dogs please. Those wild oafs scare the bejeepers out of me. I have mixed feelings towards other cats. Not a huge fan, but I could maybe warm up to the right cat under the right circumstances.

I’m pretty easy-going otherwise; a low-key love bug looking for a home who can keep me well-fed, well-cuddled and up-to-date on the small and silver screens. Doesn’t even have to be Netflix. Shomi, Crave, regular ol’ cable…I’m not fussy. (My foster mom will probably suggest a low-cal food, pay her no attention. None. Nada. Nope.)

I bet there’s a spot on your couch perfect for me. Hurry! The new season of Game of Thrones is starting!!

Apply to adopt me!

 

Our foster training session with K9 Misfits

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We were very fortunate to through the generosity of one of our amazing volunteers to have an information session with Bilinda Wagner, a local positive reinforcement trainer with K9 Misfits. The session was helpful not only for our current canines in care, but also our volunteer fosters, who can use techniques for our future rescue dogs.

Adoptable dog attendees included Willow, Bella, Howard Stern, and our blind special needs puppy Monkey Fudge.

 

 

 

 

Bilinda and the other behaviour consultants at K9 Misfits have lots of hands on experience with abandoned, feral, and owned animals.

“We and pride ourselves in becoming invested in the long term life of animals that do not live with us,” says Bilinda. “My goal is to have you understand the animal that you have and provide you with the best tools to help you to succeed and grow.”

The two hour information session turned into four hours of learning, where the attendees had quite a few ‘a-ha moments.’ Bilinda discussed topics such as:

• The importance of teaching basic commands to build deference, create consistency, and make your dog feel more comfortable
• Recognizing stress releasing signals
• How to be more “exciting” to keep your dog’s attention
• Tools to help your dog learn

And of course, our foster dogs and volunteers wasted no time in putting the techniques to the test. “All you need to do is have some basic understanding and commit to spending the time it takes to modify or change behaviour,” explains Bilinda. “Perfect practice makes perfect.”

The session even included instruction on giving a dog massage (our fosters have it good!) But massage isn’t just about pampering. “This is a great way to build a bond and relax at the same time.”
All of the participants — human and canine! – left exhausted, but with more understanding of dog communication and behaviour.

“This is why I love doing what I do. We all deserve to learn how to be treated and to make life as stress-free as possible.”

Many thanks to Bilinda and K9 Misfits!

If you’re interested in joining the Zoe’s Team as a volunteer or foster, read more here.

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Foster of the Week: Rosa

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Hi, I’m Rosa.

This is kinda hard for me.

I’m shy.

I’m from a rural community and lived almost entirely outdoors, so being taken in by Zoe’s and living indoors in my foster home was a BIG change. It’s hard to be yourself in such new and unfamiliar territory. I’m still learning and getting used to my new life, but I’ve come SO far in the months I’ve been in my foster home – thanks to my incredibly loving and patient foster parents. I think I’m ready to find my forever home.

I have some requirements though.

I know that sounds daunting, but I’ve worked so hard to become the lady I am today and I want to be a fine wine. You know, the kind that gets better with age.

One of the first things my foster parents set up for me was my crate. Some dogs don’t like crates, but I LOVE mine. It’s my safe space. I will need a crate in my forever home, a place to call my own, a place that I can go to feel safe when I need. I definitely won’t snub a big fluffy bed to snooze on, but I need to know I can retreat to my crate if I feel I need some quiet alone time. I am as intelligent as I am beautiful and need a family who will continue with my training. I’ve done remarkably well with clicker training and would excel in classes with you. I promise it will be fun and help us bond while helping me continue to grow and flourish. Be sure to map out Timmies locations on our route to class because I know car rides = Timbits.

Speaking of food….I love it. My foster mom says I should have been named “Hoover” because of how fast I inhale my food. Pft! Rosa is prettier. I do love food though, she’s not wrong there. Treats are the way to my heart (and a way for you to acquire a shadow in the form of a gorgeous brown haired gal.) Bully sticks are my absolute favourite treat; I also love plain Cheerios. I’m watching my girlish figure and they’re low fat while still being very tasty. (Shout out to the person who said I have a small head because my body is so big. How rude!)

After food, my favourite thing is playing with other dogs. I’d like to have at least one in my forever home. Not only do siblings make great friends and playmates, they are also great role models for indoor living. And great adventure buddies! I love adventures! Since I grew up outdoors, I’m very comfortable being outside. I’ve learned how leashes work and very much enjoy long walks. I also like to pretend I am “Rosa: Vicious Bug Hunter Extraordinaire.” My foster mom thinks it’s hilarious, the way I stalk the bugs and leap into the air to catch them. What can I say? It’s fun!

If my perfect home sounds like your home, check out my profile and apply to adopt me!

Featured Volunteer – Jacqueline Zohar

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What kind of rescue would we be without a crazy cat lady???

Not a proper one, that’s for sure!

That’s why we have Jacqueline! She’s crazy in all the right ways, a proud lover of all things feline and an integral member of the Zoe’s family.

Can you tell us a little about your background before you became a volunteer?
I was born and raised in Edmonton and have an undergraduate degree in psychology. I worked for about 20 years in health, administrative and accounting positions and have also been volunteering for a variety of animal charities throughout my life. I now only work casually so I have much more time to devote to doing what I truly love, which is volunteering at Zoe’s with my amazing husband.

How did you first get involved with Zoe’s?
After my cat of 21 years passed away, I decided that I needed to foster, rather than jump into adopting another fur baby. Zoe’s was recommended to me by a friend and after checking out their website, I was hooked.

What roles have you carried out for the society?
I have fostered over 30 cats/kittens, I process cat adoption applications, maintain our animal and volunteer database, help with our SaNeR (spay-neuter-return) program by trapping feral cats and transporting dogs and cats to/from our partner communities, help with medical bookings, co-ordinate our donation box program and help with fundraising events and website support.

How long have you volunteered for Zoe’s?
Just over a year now.

What types of things have you been involved in as a volunteer?
Such a variety of things that it’s really hard to describe! I’m interested in so many areas so it’s been great for me because I get to do a little bit of everything. Building straw dog shelters was an incredible experience for me and helping out at fundraising and adoption events is always so much fun!

What’s been your funniest experience as a volunteer?
I spend a lot of my time with another volunteer, Jan, and we are ALWAYS laughing on our treks around the city. Whether it’s spending 6 hours trying to trap a “feral” cat, only to have a local resident walk right up to the cat and scoop it up with no issues at all, or driving around trying desperately to find a late night dog wash after an incident with explosive diarrhea, we are never bored! I will also never forget the look on one dogs face after I caught her with half of my just-purchased scone hanging out of her mouth!

What do you like most about volunteering?
The difference I feel that we are all making. One animal at a time. The people are pretty awesome too!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering for Zoe’s?
Do it! I have NEVER been happier in my life. The support and friendships I’ve made are simply amazing. The best part is that you can commit to volunteering as much or as little as you want. Volunteer to transport an animal or pick up a donation once a month, help make reference calls or home checks whenever you happen to be available. Foster a dog or cat, help out with fundraising and adoption events or help out with social media. There are so many areas where you can help make a difference and it is SO rewarding.

How much time do you spend volunteering?
A lot, lol, but only because I love it so much.

Do you volunteer for any other organizations?
I used to volunteer for the Edmonton Humane Society and I currently volunteer, very casually, for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.

What makes you happy?
Cats, my husband, friends, coffee and naps are what I normally say, but honestly the most incredible feeling in the world for me is helping to save cats and dogs and finding them forever homes. Cuddling with kittens and puppies is a pretty great thing too!

What makes you sad?
When we lose an animal that we have tried so hard to save. But the fact that Zoe’s NEVER gives up without a fight, regardless of the medical costs, makes me so proud at the same time.

Thanks SO much for all that you do, Jacqueline! We are so lucky to have you!

Interested in joining our family? Get more information and apply here.

All Fun and Games at Variant Edition…

Some might say it’s a risk to have a fundraiser at a local comic store although it’s worth pointing out that 50/50 draws and garage sales don’t have the monopoly on raising much needed funds for looking after, guess who, yes – the numerous fosters Zoe’s has in its care!  So in our not-so-trivial pursuit for extra dollars, we headed to Edmonton’s numero-uno comic store, Variant Edition to, amongst other things, connect four or five foster cats together to join in the fun!  Anyway, I’m sorry, I’ll allay you’re frustration and stop this pandemic of wordplay now!

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The sold-out table-top games event took place on Sunday 10th April at Variant Edition on 10441 123 St.  Guests of honour were Harrison, Faith Hill, Lala, Starbrite, and Digger, five of our cute and cuddly cats currently looking for their forever homes.  As you’d expect, trying to play a verity of board games while five curious cats run amok isn’t the easiest of tasks.  Indeed, some of the players had to play standing up as the pussies stole some much needed nap time, and the chairs from under the posteriors of the players.  It was very much a cats against humanity situation!

Variant Photo 2  Variant Photo 4

Events like these are absolutely key in raising funds that Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society can then spend on helping disadvantaged cats and dogs find the warm and loving forever homes they so richly deserve.  If you’re interested in supporting any of our future events, please follow this link to our events calendar for details of our forthcoming fundraisers Zoe’s Events.  It’s a no-cranium-er!  I’ll stop now…