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What AARCS Has to Say

Clarissa joined the AARCS team as a foster family. Since that time she has shown her passion, commitment and drive for animal welfare. Sometimes fostering 3, 4 or 5 puppies at one time, Clarissa has devoted her life to these precious rescued animals. She is always there when we need her and always has a smile on her face. When her babies were sick, she spent much time cleaning up puppy poop and vomit, without complaint. She knows its all part of the job. Clarissa is a strong believer in “Don’t Shop! – Adopt!” and recently adopted one of her foster pups, Sheba (previously Baby Blue).

AARCS struggles to find committed volunteers to assist in aspects of the organization that don’t involve the dogs. With the tough economy we are faced with today, we are always looking for ways to raise money to pay for the much needed care of these animals. Clarissa has taken on projects with confidence and ambition, which as resulted in bringing in a large amount of donations to help pay for our increased expenses and to keep the organization going. Clarissa has organized and participated in almost all the events this summer including, Pet Expo, Spruce Meadows Show Your Spirit, almond sales, and Sun & Salsa Festival and is currently organizing our annual AGM and a large fundraiser to be held in October 2009.

Clarissa is well deserving of the title of Volunteer of the Month after she spend over 4 hours in a dog-kennel in the beating sun at the Sun & Salsa Festival to raise money. For her effort people donated over $1000 her in “Bark & Bail” attempt!

Clarissa, thank you for all you do!

A Few Words from the Volunteer

I always knew that I wanted to do something about the cruelty in this world. Animals have always been my passion, I grew up with dogs and could never imagine my life without my animals. It devastates me to know how many animals are hurt and abused each and every day. Last year we tried to rescue one little dog from Afghanistan, we actually got very close, a lot closer than most people thought we would ever get, but in the final hour we were blocked with one more last-minute bureaucratic roadblock by our shipping company...had we had a few extra days we would have likely got little Diesel home to Canada. Soldiers have enough to deal with, leaving their dogs, which they often rescued themselves from horrible circumstances behind is just another wound in their hearts. I wonder what has become of little Diesel, and it is for him and for all those that can't help themselves, that depend on the kindness of humans, that I work hard to make a little difference each and every day.

My involvement with AARCS has been one of the best things I have done in my life. I believe so strongly in its cause and mission and in that of all the other worthwhile animal rescue and activist groups out there. While it is not always fun to deal with crying, howling, and destructive puppies, to scrape doggie doodoo out from corners and sometimes from under my finger nails, to drive them to and from vet visits, in the end I remind myself that were it not for me and the efforts of all the other wonderful volunteers these little guys would be fending for themselves. They have so much love to give, the least we can do is return a little love, care and attention to them. And despite all the hardships, I have not had a dog yet that I have not fallen fully in love with. But in the end, the most rewarding thing is to see them in a loving forever home, that ultimately is what this is all about. Giving them a second chance at life.