Animal welfare group stretched to its limits

By Mitch Wright
News Gazette staff
Mar 02 2005

Noah has used at least one of his nine lives.
The stray cat was found with deep, severely infected cuts to its face and paws last month and taken to the Capital Regional District pound. It was then taken to Belmont Langford Veterinary Hospital by Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders.
Veterinarian Dr. John McCleary said Noah was clearly attacked by something, although it's impossible to know what, and had endured his injuries for "at least several days, if not several weeks."
"He was very badly infected," McCleary said.
Following more than two hours of surgery at Belmont Langford Veterinary Hospital Feb. 18, and several days of recuperation, Noah was taken to Chelco Farms Rescue/Rehabilitation centre in the Highlands.
The two or three-year-old stray will stay in foster care at Chelco, which is fostering Noah despite its usual focus on Border Collies, until he is fully recovered and ready to be adopted into a new home.
That could take considerable time and money, says Carol Sonnex of Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders, a non-profit volunteer organization that is footing the bills for Noah's medical care.
"He may still need more surgery," Sonnex said.
With about 150 volunteer members, Animal Crusaders operates entirely on donated funding, spending roughly $4,000 a month, while taking in just $500.
Founded in 1973 by Helen Kerswell and several other like-minded animal lovers, the organization's primary mandate is to offer low-cost spaying and neutering for low income pet owners, working with 14 Victoria area vets who give the organization reduced rates for spays and neuters.
Sonnex, GVAC's spay/neuter co-ordinator, said she gets between 20 and 40 calls every day.
When funds permit, GVAC also helps with medical costs for low income pet owners and helps with medical costs in animal rescue situations like Noah's.
Those situations are all too common, says Sonnex. In fact, Noah is just one example of what she and other GVAC volunteers see on an almost daily basis.
"He's not the only one. He's an extreme example, but there's two or three a week," she said.
That pressure is putting the organization, which seldom if ever turns away an opportunity to help an injured stray, in financial straits. GVAC fundraises vigorously, but simply can't stay keep up with the demand.
"We really need help. Unless we get more support, we won't be able to continue to do this," Sonnex said. "Something's got to give."
"A lot of people don't understand that when an animal goes to the pound, there isn't any money to fix them."
Anyone interested in getting involved with GVAC can call the spay/neuter line at 474-5581. Tax deductible donations can be sent to: Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders, P.O. box 5541 Station B, Victoria B.C., V8R 6S4.

Ella Marier holds Noah at Belmont-Langford vet clinic.