Sewing Bee Round 2 - Sept 12 10:00 am to noon

When: Saturday, September 12th 10:00 a.m. to noon

If you can attend one or more of these time please let me know as soon as possible, thanks. No special sewing talents required: just you and your sewing machine for straight seam sewing.
The purpose is 2 fold, work up the existing blanket material into:
1. Recovery blankets for dogs and cats to be used at the Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force Blood Tribe Clinic in September;
2. Blankets for AARCS foster doggie to go with them to their new adoptive homes.

We will be:
• cutting and seaming to make their cozy blanket and again
• celebrating “Team Work”, come join us
Needed:
-you and or friends / family
-sewing machines
-your own scissors if possible
-your exuberance

Please contact Rita O’Leary directly: 403-248-2787, conoleary@shaw.ca

First Annual Responsible Dog Ownership Day (RDOG)

On behalf of the Responsible Dog Ownership Group (RDOG) committee, AARCS would like to invite you to take part in the first annual RDOG Day which will be taking place on September 18th, 2010 from 10:00am – 2:00pm. This event is held in support of The Canadian Kennel Club’s initiative, RDOG Week, which begins on September 25th. This is a free opportunity for reputable rescue agencies to create more public awareness about their organizations and the animals you help. You will also be taking part in a day that helps to build dog owner awareness and foster responsible pet ownership.
In partnership with The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services, AARCS invites the public to come and see several demonstrations of sports and activities that they can do with their dogs. This could include tracking, obedience, rally, Frisbee and agility. Dog owners will then be invited to participate with their own dogs. There will also be contests for dog owners and celebrity judges!
Animal & Bylaw Services staff, Director Bill Bruce and the Calgary Humane Society will be on site with educational materials, giveaways and information about their adoptable animals. AARCS will be joined by 5 other rescue organizations as well as 4 responsible vendors who will be giving away free samples and holding raffles.
Location: West End of Bowness Park
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Admission is free! Parking is free!
Come out and join us for a fun filled day!

Farm Sanctuary’s 2010 Walk for Farm Animals

Calgary Teams Up with “The Biggest Loser’s” Bob Harper for Farm Sanctuary’s 2010 Walk for Farm Animals

Calgary AB –October 9, 2010 – Need a good reason to get moving this fall? Take a tip from celebrity fitness trainer Bob Harper, star of NBC’s hit show “The Biggest Loser,” and sign up for Calgary’s 2010 Walk for Farm Animals, sponsored by Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization!

As the national spokesperson for the 2010 Walk for Farm Animals, Harper is serious about his advocacy for farm animals: “When I think about the billions of sensitive, intelligent beings who are confined and mistreated on factory farms to produce foods linked with obesity, heart disease, cancer, and stroke — that is all the motivation I need to make healthier, more conscientious choices. I am honored to be the national spokesperson for Farm Sanctuary’s 2010 Walk for Farm Animals.”

The Calgary Walk is just one of more than 70 taking place in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada this fall, when thousands of animal lovers will lace up their walking shoes and hit the streets to celebrate and promote compassion for farm animals and raise money to support the lifesaving rescue, education and advocacy work of Farm Sanctuary. Your participation in this exciting annual event will help expand awareness of the severe and unnecessary suffering endured by billions of animals raised for food on a daily basis. Please join us on October 9, 2010 by putting your best foot forward for farm animals!

WHAT: Farm Sanctuary’s 2010 Walk for Farm Animals www.walkforfarmanimals.org

WHEN: Saturday, October 9, 2010. Registration at 9am and walk starts at 10am.
WHERE: Prince’s Edward Island Park

NOTE: Pets welcome!

HIGHLIGHTS: Start the morning off with free coffee and vegan treats and walk with other animal lovers for a more compassionate world.

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration fee is $15 per walker (entitles each registrant to a Walk for Farm Animals t-shirt distributed on the day of the Walk); registration fee on the day of the Walk is $20 (T-shirt receipt cannot be guaranteed). To register, visit www.firstgiving.com/farmsanctuary or e-mail local Walk Coordinator Stephanie Carrobourg at calgary@walkforfarmanimals.org

The 20010 Walk for Farm Animals is sponsored nationally by Boston Baked Bonz.Great Sage Organic Green Cuisine and Karmavore Vegan Shop.

National photos of last year’s Walk for Farm Animals and an approved image of 2010 national spokesperson Bob Harper from NBC’s hit show “The Biggest Loser” are available upon request.

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

AGM (Annual General Meeting)

Please come out for AARCS Annual General Meeting Saturday, October 30th at 1:00 pm at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is located at 2425 - 9th Avenue SE, Calgary

HUGE DOG AND CAT ADOPT-A-THON

Big dogs, small dogs, puppies, cat and kittens all available for adoption.

All the rescue groups are full and we are having to turn animals away. Please help us find loving new homes for our adoptable pets so we can go out and rescue more!

AARCS HAS TEAMED UP WITH OTHER REPUTABLE RESCUE GROUPS TO HOST THIS ADOPTION EVENT SO THERE WILL BE NUMEROUS ANIMALS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING.

Entry is Free! Free Parking!

Sunday, August 29, 2010
11:00am - 3:00 pm

Marlborough Park Community Centre NE, Calgary,
6021 Madigan Drive NE

PLEASE NOTE: This is not the community centre behind Marlborough Mall, go past the mall and turn left on Madigan Drive (at the Dairy Queen) and it's on the left.

Garage Sale

Please come out to AARCS Garage Sale!!

When: Saturday, August 21, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 197 Sandarac Drive NW
Calgary, Alberta

All proceeds will be donated to AARCS.

Until there are none, rescue one.

Sewing Bee Round 2 - August 18th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

When: Wednesday, August 18th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

If you can attend one or more of these time please let me know as soon as possible, thanks. No special sewing talents required: just you and your sewing machine for straight seam sewing.
The purpose is 2 fold, work up the existing blanket material into:
1. Recovery blankets for dogs and cats to be used at the Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force Blood Tribe Clinic in September;
2. Blankets for AARCS foster doggie to go with them to their new adoptive homes.

We will be:
• cutting and seaming to make their cozy blanket and again
• celebrating “Team Work”, come join us
Needed:
-you and or friends / family
-sewing machines
-your own scissors if possible
-your exuberance

Please contact Rita O’Leary directly: 403-248-2787, conoleary@shaw.ca

Sewing Bee Round 2 - August 19th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

When: Thursday, August 19th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

If you can attend one or more of these time please let me know as soon as possible, thanks. No special sewing talents required: just you and your sewing machine for straight seam sewing.
The purpose is 2 fold, work up the existing blanket material into:
1. Recovery blankets for dogs and cats to be used at the Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force Blood Tribe Clinic in September;
2. Blankets for AARCS foster doggie to go with them to their new adoptive homes.

We will be:
• cutting and seaming to make their cozy blanket and again
• celebrating “Team Work”, come join us
Needed:
-you and or friends / family
-sewing machines
-your own scissors if possible
-your exuberance

Please contact Rita O’Leary directly: 403-248-2787, conoleary@shaw.ca

Sewing Bee Round 2 - August 17th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

When Tuesday, August 17th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

If you can attend one or more of these time please let me know as soon as possible, thanks. No special sewing talents required: just you and your sewing machine for straight seam sewing. The purpose is 2 fold, work up the existing blanket material into:
1. Recovery blankets for dogs and cats to be used at the Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force Blood Tribe Clinic in September;
2. Blankets for AARCS foster doggie to go with them to their new adoptive homes

We will be:
• cutting and seaming to make their cozy blanket and again
• celebrating “Team Work”, come join us!!
Needed:
-you and or friends/family
-sewing machines
-your own scissors if possible
-your exuberance

Please contact Rita O’Leary directly: 403-248-2787, conoleary@shaw.ca

Sun and Salsa Festival

Sun & Salsa Festival
July 25, 2010
Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society had beat the heat along with our adoptable dogs at the Sun & Salsa Festival. Located in the heart of Kensington, it was a great day in promoting our Rescue. We had two lovely ladies sitting all day in a animal crate raising money, thank you to Katie & Clairssa. A huge thank you to all the volunteers and foster families that helped out. We raised $725.00

Sun and Salsa Festival

11:00 am until 5:00 pm
Visit Alberta Animal Rescue Crew at the Sun and Salsa Festival
At the junction of 10th Street and Kensington Road NW, just across the Bow River from the downtown core, Kensington is close to the heart of Calgary and easily reached by most of the city’s major access routes.
Kensington is a pleasant 20-minute river-side stroll from the centre of the city along the promenade. Cross the river at 10th Street by either the Louise or the LRT foot bridge.
Disembarking at the Sunnyside LRT station, Kensington is only minutes away from most areas in the city by C-train.

The Sun and Salsa website:
http://www.visitkensington.com/sun-and-salsa/

Chestermere Show N' Shine!

Chestermere Show ‘n Shine raises donations and awareness for AARCS!

Chestermere resident and dog lovers Mike and Elaine Smart started the Chestermere car show 9 years ago and it has since been combined with the Water Festival on the same day. Every show for the last 9 years has had a component involving dogs and AARCS was chosen this year to be a part of it!

People are encouraged people to bring their dogs to the show as it is a long day for them to be left at home (dog-friend dogs of course). This year, AARCS will be promoting our rescue and some of our rescued dogs so we encourage you to come and check it out!


The show is

JULY 24th SATURDAY....10am -4pm at the Chestermere Rec. Centre, West Chestermere Dr.
$10 to enter a vehicle in the Trophy competition
Free to spectators
All day indoor/outdoor Bar
Raffles
Spot Prizes
Vendors
Hot food
DJ with sounds of the 60's 70's & more

Food/Donation Drive

Please come out and support all rescues at the 2nd Food/Donation Drive. Click on the picture for more details.

Sunday - July 4th, 2010
Barking Lot - 22 Midlake Blvd SE

Bring your donation and receive 10% your purchase at the Barking Lot, an local area Pet Store supporting your rescues!

Dog House Building and Repair Day

Dog House Building and Repair Day
• Wednesday evening June 16th 5:30pm & onward and Saturday June 19th 10am & onward
• No building experience required, will have building plans
• Couples welcome, no children or pets please at this time (Dog House painting may follow at another date at which children can come and paint the side of a house)
• Bring own tools if have
• Hot dogs & buns provided... Bring some other easy pot luck item please
• Must reply to Rita at conoleary@shaw.ca

Servis Annual Block Party - supporting AARCS

On friday June 4th the Servus Credit Union is holding their "Annual Block Party -Bar-b-Que. with all proceeds going to Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society. The event is being held in Three Hills, AB. It goes from 11 am to 2 pm...the event is sponsored in part by Servus Credit Union and the following:

BLB Grain Group
The Capital (Local newsPaper)
Century 21 Power Realty
Home Building Centre
Three Hills Rentals
S.E.A. Cutting & Coring Ltd.

It sounds like it will be wonderful weather (for a change) and a great day for a road trip if available.
If anyone would be able to help Anna as we help cook up the lunch along with others that would be great..please email me back at bobanna4@gmail.com if you would be available to help in Three Hills.
Anna Thompson

Lilac Festival

10:00am-6:00pm
Come and visit the AARCS booth at the Lilac Festival

http://www.4streetcalgary.com/lilacfestival/

For those of you taking Calgary transit, here are some helpful hints!
Coming form the far north or south hop on the c-train, and depending on where you would like to start the festival:
Elbow/Stampede will put you within walking distance of Elbow and 4 th Street . Victoria Park/Stampede will put you within walking distance of 17 th and 4 th Street .
Bus suggestions for traveling near 4th Street are:
Route #7 – runs south down 17 th Ave stopping near 4th Street, also is equipped with handicap access.
Route #6/106 – runs the Killarney area to 4th Street.
Route # 2 – runs north down 17 th Ave and stops near 4th Street.
Route # 3 – runs Elbow drive to 5 th Street (normally 4th).
Please ensure to check the day of the festival for Sunday bus route times!!!

Charity of Choice Tail Blazers 14 Street Location

AARCS volunteers were present in the Tail Blazers on 14th Street NW on May 1, 2010 for their Customer Appreciation Day. Owners Rebecca Marsh and Marybeth Chan offered up free goodies along with a 10% discount on all purchases. In addition 5% of their profits for the day will be donated to AARCS. Volunteers Rita, Sandra, Christine and Tracy handed out brochures, accepted donations and cuddled the rescue dogs that came out for the day. Con-knee, looking very pregnant was very well behaved, Ollie and Nickel came by to say hello and spend some time greeting customers and accepting treats. Mortimer was sporting a new hair cut and a fashionable blue neck scarf. Tiger arrived with news that she too is in a “family way” and last but not least, Sulley (one of the mange puppies) greeted folks from the comfort of foster mom Clarissa’s car. He was looking handsome with his new fur coat and that long tail that does not stop wagging! Thank you to all the volunteers who made the day possible and a BIG thank you to Tail Blazers for your support again this year!!

Thankyou to everyone who came to see us at the Tail Blazers Charity of Choice Days and Chestermere Pet Fest Day on Saturday May 1st. Also a big Thanyou to our volunteers Sandra at Tail Blazers and Trish at Pet Fest for stepping forward organizing each event, thanks to all other volunteers who came to man the booths and those amazing foster home families who brought their dogs to visit with everyone.

AARCS has been chosen as Charity of Choice for the 14th Street Tail Blazer’s location. 5% of all sales will be donated to AARCS and get 10% off everything in the store!
Join us on May 1st, 2010 for their bi-annual Customer Appreciation Day! We will be there with some adoptable dogs and to talk to customers about what we do.

The first 30 customers at each store will also receive goodie bags filled with all kinds of goodies and coupons.

Chestermere PetFest!

This was the first year for Pet Fest and AARCS took the opportunity to spread the word and create awarenesss about our work. We hope to have instilled others to volunteer for the beautiful animals who so much need our help. A recent surrender “Whiskey” spent the day with us, and Roz (a mange baby) came for the afternoon. We had a great visit with the Cadets who were helping set up at the Fest, and the visiting went on all day..our volunteers are passionate about what we do and love telling the stories of rescue. Trish took this opportunity to phone the families who had adopted dogs from her to come and say hello..well many did. It was emotional reunion...right in this spot on that day you would find the person who rescued, the person who fostered and the family who adopted...a few tears of emotion did flow by being able to see them again.

Thanks to everyone.

CHESTERMERE COUNTRY CONNECTION SPRING FESTIVAL 2010
Chestemere Rec Center, 201 West Chestermere Drive

Saturday May 1st 2010
10 – 4 pm

Lions Club Pancake Breakfast 8 - 10
Trade Show 10 – 4 Hall
Rabbit Show and Competitions 10 – 4 curling Rink
Petting Zoo 10 – 4 Soccer Fields
Sweet Talk Stables Pony Rides 10 – 2 Corral by Soccer fields $2.00/ride
Parade of Garage Sales Maps available in foyer by the Hall
Quilter’s Guild Show 10 – 4 MPP Room
Chestermere Library Used Book Sale 10 – 4 Foyer beside the Hall
KidZone Playtime Rentals Play Area 10 – 4 Soccer Fields
And much, much more!!!!!!!

Another Group Adopt-a-thon

Group Adopt-a-Thon (Dogs, Cats & Ferrets)
Sunday, April 25th
10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Location: Dogaholics ( Bay D, 2020 32 Ave. N.E.)

Other Groups Participating

Pound Rescue

Little Mutt Rescue (small dogs)

Meow Fountation

Misty Creek Dog Rescue

Pawsitive Match Rescue

Ferret Rescue and Education Society

Admission is Free and there will also be lots of stuff for sale!

Come check it out!

Pet Expo - Come Visit us at the Calgary Pet Expo

March 27-28th
Saturday 11 - 6pm
Sunday 11 - 5pm

Lower Level, Big Four Stampede Park

Get your two for one tickets! Click on the "News" page and there is a downloadable version. Just print and show at the doors!

Hope to see you all there!

Dog Bed Making! No sewing talent required!

The purpose is to work up the existing materials (old bedding & clothes) I have collected into doggie beds.

No sewing talents are required since there are tasks not requiring operating a sewing machine. We will be:

• cutting and piecing together material to use as the bed covers
• cutting and piecing together material to use as stuffing for beds
• sewing the bed covers in preparation for stuffing
• stuffing the bed covers
• edge sewing the stuffed beds
• celebrating Team Work and “recycled” doggie beds….”VOILA”

Needed:
-you and or a friend
-1 more sewing machine
-your own scissors if possible
-your exuberance
-any old bedding / clothing not fit for human shelter donations (doggies don’t care about the hole in the sweats or the ripped arm hole seam in the blouse or sock holes) Whatever can’t be used now will be used later.

Provided:
sandwiches & refreshments
2 adopted AARCS doggies to lower your blood pressure with patting!!!! (maybe a foster also)
An Experience

AND...Satisfaction of helping those animals that through no fault of their own are left cold and homeless----PRICELESS

These beds will not be anything fancy. I worked up 20+ last fall. Some were:
-2 pillows hand sewed together to make a larger surface and then covered with a square of old sheet.
-A sport jersey with the arms cut off & used for stuffing along with other clothing stuffing and sewed shut at the neck, arm holes and bottom…..so exact square a doggie does not care about!!!
-Old sleeping bag cut and sewed at the corner a bit to keep it in somewhat a square (seams often too thick to sew too far around)
-Old quilt for a nice surface cut & stuffed and sewed up into a rectangle
You see I and I know you CAN and will be CREATIVE. Come Help if you can.

You must let me know by Wednesday March 17th so I can plan.

If anyone is able to PRE Help….we have 220 pillow cases that need to be dyed brown / blue /green. I can get the dye & cases to you asap.

Thanks for reading and considering to help our doggies
AARCS member & volunteer
Rita O’Leary
Work 297-2308 rita.o'leary@gov.ab.ca
Home 248-2787 conoleary@shaw.ca

Group Adopt-a-Thon (Dogs, Cats & Ferrets)

Sunday, February 28th
10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Location: Dogaholics ( Bay D, 2020 32 Ave. N.E.)

Other Groups Participating

Pound Rescue

Little Mutt Rescue (small dogs)

Meow Fountation

Misty Creek Dog Rescue

Pawsitive Match Rescue

Ferret Rescue and Education Society

Admission is Free and there will also be lots of stuff for sale!

Come check it out!

Round Table Discussions

Round Table Discussions!
Date: Saturday January 9th, 2010
Time: 1- 3 pm
Where: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Address: 2425 9th Avenue SE

We are looking for long-term, dedicated volunteers to fill some very important roles. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and we want YOU to be a part of it. At the meeting, we will have a survey for everyone to fill out as well a list of the available positions. In addition, we would like to take some time to have some open discussions on ways to improve, increase productivity and reduce burnout for our volunteers.