Just when times seem really bleak, a surprise comes along that lifts the gloomy outlook on a situation. Elli Kohnert, this area’s animal advocate, says last month she was wondering how to find dog food for several dogs who’s guardians needed assistance to provide for them, when she received a call from Barriere Elementary School.
The call was to inform her that the school’s grade 7 class had decided to share the proceeds from their Christmas fundraiser with animals in need. Their hard work had been well rewarded, and they were able donate money raised to UNICEF and still give $250 to Kohnert to help local animals.
When Kohnert and her canine buddy Wiccan arrived at the school to receive the cheque, she explained to the students how herself and several of her friends are assisting people with caring for their pets.
“Sometimes an animal gets hurt and it’s owner is unable to pay what is often a large vet bill; we help out with a donation that does not cover it all, but helps a little,” Kohnert told the students, “Most of all we need pet food, which had been previously been donated to us from sources in Kamloops. But that does not happen anymore, so we have to purchase as much pet food as we are able to ourselves. We also want to promote spaying and neutering, and share the cost with a pet owner who needs some financial help. For these reasons we are very grateful for the donation we have received from you, and we are saying a big thank you from the animals who will get help because of your generosity.
“The Kamloops SPCA is often Barriere’s last hope when we have a dog or cat that needs shelter, mostly a foster home, until a permanent one can be found, but that takes time. It means we need to find a place in the area that can house the animal, but we still have to find food for it. If it is a large animal, once it was even a horse, the cost is high; and that is why we are truly grateful for donations of either pet food or money to buy the food. Until we have an organization facilitated by local government we will do whatever is possible to advocate for the animals, just as we have been doing for many years.”