Town to examine partnership with Rescued Paws at Alpine Foundation

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Rescued Paws at Alpine Foundation presented before the Town of Strathmore council, during the April 3, regular meeting to discuss the potential for a centralized facility to support the business and rehoming of dogs. 

“Our biggest challenge is that we do not have a permanent location to operate out of on a daily basis,” said Kyla Janes, executive director of the Rescued Paws at Alpine Foundation. “Right now, we have had to halt all intakes for any local dogs or strays that are in Strathmore and the county, as well, due to the fact that we were so overwhelmed over the last year and a half.”

She added during the aforementioned time period, over 200 dogs were taken in and rehomed from their home-based family business, which incurred roughly $200,000 of expenses to pull off.

These included a mix of surrendered animals due to the housing crisis, unwanted puppies resulting from a lack of sterilization, as well as abandonment cases coming from both within the Town of Strathmore, and Wheatland County. 

“One of our goals is to be able to work with the town – number one, we have already set in place working relationships with Fame and Prospects from Calgary, which helps a lot with a lot of our adolescents who are looking for job placements in the future,” said Janes. “One of the biggest things that would be beneficial is having the building that would be in town; it would be a lot easier for our Fame volunteers to come and help work there a little bit more often.”

She added the use of the requested building would also aid in being able to host more adoption and awareness events, and host dogs temporarily.

During the delegation, it was presented that use of a building would be solely for the purpose of housing and caring for rescued dogs, and would be in compliance with any and all regulations set forth by the town.

Coun. Denise Peterson, following the presentation, inquired to Rescued Paws regarding the potential value they may be able to add to the community, as their request for building space from the town is similar to the established agreement held with Happy Cat sanctuary. 

Alicia O’Keefe explained details regarding those contributions may be presented to council via a five- or 10- year plan, which would estimate contributions should the organization have access to a centralized facility. 

Council directed administration to examine the feasibility of forming a value-added partnership with Rescued Paws following the presentation. 

More information is presented via the council meeting agenda, as well as through the recorded meeting minutes.