(November 26, 2013) – RedRover, a California-based nonprofit organization, has deployed volunteers from Canada and the United States to provide volunteer support at a temporary shelter in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region for approximately 50 dogs and 30 puppies found living in unsanitary and dangerous conditions on private property.
Distinguished by their red shirts, RedRover Responders volunteers are specially trained to care for and shelter large numbers of animals after they have been rescued from cruelty and neglect. RedRover Responders volunteers provide manpower, free of charge, which enables local animal control and law enforcement agencies to respond to large-scale animal cruelty cases.
RedRover Responders volunteers have already traveled from parts of Canada and the United States to care for the rescued animals at the temporary shelter. More volunteers will arrive later this week. RedRover has nearly 3,000 active volunteers in the Canada and the United States and provides its services free of charge to the community.
“RedRover’s volunteer team is recognized all over North America for its ability to give neglected and abused animals loving human contact, often for the first time in their lives,” said RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “RedRover’s free emergency sheltering services support local agencies that otherwise might not be able to respond to such large animal cruelty cases due to lack of resources and staff.”
RedRover was invited to assist Humane Society International under the authority of Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec, or MAPAQ, in their efforts to remove and safely shelter approximately 80 dogs, including pregnant adult dogs and newborn puppies, from the property in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region.
When law enforcement arrived on the property they found mostly large husky/shepherd mixes living outdoors. Dogs were found roaming as well as chained up on the property, with little to no shelter from the elements and snow and many were discovered to be emaciated.
According to Humane Society International, “The rescue took place only one week before the Québec government unveiled a new permit system for cat and dog owners, requiring that owners of more than 15 cats or dogs obtain a permit. HSI/Canada believes the new permit system will help with preventing animal abuse but would like to see it strengthened…”
All of the animals are currently being housed at a temporary shelter location where they will be examined by veterinarians and receive any necessary immediate medical care. RedRover Responders volunteers were specifically requested to provide much-needed socialization and affection to the neglected dogs and puppies. Humane Society International and RedRover will care for the animals until they are placed with placement partners for adoption.