Big Heart Rescue has now returned from our vaccination clinic in Bella Bella where our organization treated 51 animals but to our huge surprise almost 50% of these companions were cats!

On the last trip to Bella Bella, BHR only treated two cats so needless to say this was rather shocking for the team and we were very grateful that our vet technician had brought along a flat of cat vaccines just to be safe.

Three critical care animals came down to the lower mainland with us, one 4 month old puppy with a broken rear leg who has now had her surgery and will require months of rehabilitation and rest, one 5 week old puppy very malnourished, parasite infested and suffering from mange and our darling little Nemo, a shy orange six month old kitten who was paralyzed from the waist down due to being attacked by dogs. Sadly, darling Nemo had massive internal injuries and she was put to rest today. Additionally, four kittens, three of whom were found at a lake and one which was found in a burnt out house and one adult cat suspected of suffering from kidney failure are scheduled to be flown down to the lower mainland next week.

Big Heart Rescue will be contacting the Chief and Council to discuss the very needed requirement of a mandatory sterilization by-law for any animal over the age of 5 months. The over-population of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens is beyond imagination and most are left to roam the streets where they are vulnerable to predators, both human and animal, where an accident with a car means either death or living with broken and deformed bones and where malnutrition, starvation and infestation of parasites is the norm.

It was a pleasure to see young children attend our clinic with their dogs and cats because this provided BHR the opportunity to discuss sterilization and general good health tips for companion animals. The future of humane animal welfare lies with the bright and enthusiastic youth of Bella Bella and these are the souls we must capture to ensure the healthy and happy lives of animals who survive in this remote community.

Gail Moerkerken
President
Big Heart Rescue Society

Paralysed kitten...