The new Quesnel group, Pet Safe Coalition Society of Quesnel (PSCSC) have kicked off their fundraising efforts.
This non profit group is aimed at helping relieve some of the stress animal owners have during difficult times.
“We assist people and their animals during natural disasters such as wild fires and flooding,” PSCSC director, Christy Wheeler said.
“We also work with Victim Services when animals could be at risk and Emergency Social Services during personal disaster such as house fires.”
The coalition has several ways in helping animals in times of crisis.
“Our mission is to help animals during disasters be it personal or natural with our rescue, sheltering and reunification services,” Wheeler explained.
“We also educate people on how to prepare themselves and animals in the event of a disaster.”
This new program will be a pilot project, as Quesnel is the first community to run it.
“Pet Safe Coalition Society has been operating in the United States for several years but is new to Canada,” Wheeler said.
“Quesnel is the first community Pet Safe will be operating in.”
The Pet Safe Coalition was created in 1998 in New York state to assist pet populations during times of disaster.
In 2005, it was officially founded and is still helping to educate and prepare people for emergencies with their pets.
Since this program is non-profit, Wheeler said they’ve already organized a few fundraiser to get started.
One of them is a Poker Ride which will take place Oct. 7 at Hallis Lake recreational trails.
The Poker Ride is sponsored by the Quesnel and District Riding Club.
The first rider will go at 9:30 a.m. and the last rider will leave around noon.
The cost is $25 for the first hand and $10 for addition hands.
“This is the first poker ride PSCSC has had as a fundraiser, but hopefully not the last,” Wheeler said.
The poker run sees participants ride their horses on a designated trail for approximately two hours and pick up five playing cards along the way.
“At the end of the ride, the best poker hand wins a portion of all entry fees,” Wheeler said.
“We hope to raise at least $500 for PSCSC.”
Wheeler said funds raised by the poker run will be used locally caring for animals in need of their assistance.
If you can’t attend the poker ride and would still like to contribute to the PSCSC, Wheeler said there are other ways to help.
“We are in need of foster homes, so when an emergency occurs in our community we can quickly get animals to safety,” she explained.
“We also need help with things like fundraisers and paperwork.”
The PSCSC also has an ongoing fundraiser and is selling dog cookies at the farmers market.
For more information, or to get involved with PSCSC, contact Wheeler, sadiethebc2011@hotmail.com.