Article from Harbour City Star
April 8, 2006

Mark Corbett / The Star

Big Heart Required

Dogs being chained up and left to starve, strays getting poisoned or shot,neglected animals contracting distemper, parvo and other deadly diseases with no hope of medical attention, and hungry puppies with no mothers are just some of the nightmarish abuse scenarios Gail Moerkerken has witnessed as the president of Big Heart Rescue.

And while there are too many heart-wrenching stories to be told, there are also a lot of happy outcomes for the animals Moerkerken and her colleagues save.

Although she operates from her half acre home on Gabriola Island, most of the animals Moerkerken deals with are larger dogs that come primarily from the Bella Bella region, which serves as the main supply and communication center for the north central coast. But Moerkerken and her four other board members scattered throughout Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland try to
assist any animal in crisis they come across.
Unfortunately, there happens to be too many of these animals in peril, especially dogs, in regions like Bella Bella.

It's so bad that in some communities "the only form of animal control is when a dog has a collar on, it won't be shot," said Moerkerken. "We refer to our work in that region as 'Spirits Mission'," she said.

The real dilemma for these distraught or sick animals is that they live in such remote areas that finding a vet is nearly impossible and extremely expensive. "For example, it costs about $1,500 for an amputation," said Moerkerken.

Physically saving animals in trouble is the first step for Big Heart Rescue, but hardly the last one as many of the animals often have acute or immediate medical conditions or diseases that need to be addressed. While in the care
of the society, they will also get vaccinated, sterilized, fostered out and eventually adopted by a carefully screened family.

"We're only limited in the amount of work we can do by how many foster homes we have," said Moerkerken, who once ran her own vocational rehabilitation counselling company, but now runs the society full-time.

She says she is able to do this because her husband Barry, "who is one of the biggest
supporters of Big Heart Rescue," has a good job based out of Fort McMurray that affords them the opportunity to look after the animals.

They certainly don't do it alone however. "We are funded 100% by generous donations from community members and supporters with all proceeds going directly to the care and rehabilitation of companions in need of medical
intervention, training and re-homing," said Moerkerken.

Depending on the circumstances, Big Heart Rescue will make arrangements to transport the animal thanks in large part to Pacific Coastal Airlines, which has a serious soft spot for animals in trouble and is the organization's
major sponsor.

The society is also fortunate to have several veterinarians on call who donate their services to Big Heart Rescue, and other suppliers will often donate items such as food, collars, tags and deworming medication. "We don't have a shelter facility and all companions in our care are in loving foster homes until they find the family that is a perfect match," said Moerkerken.

"There is always a shortage of foster homes available and unfortunately this limits our ability to help those in dire need of assistance," said Moerkerken. "If any of your readers have room in their hearts to give a
lonely dog a place to rest, we would ask them to please send us an email requesting a foster or adoption application."

To protect the animals they've rehabilitated, Big Heart Rescue will interview prospective families to ensure they can provide both the required daily care and also give lots of love.

"Before placing an animal with you, we conduct a house visit and discuss any extra-special needs that the animal may have," she said.

The Big Heart Rescue Society was formally organized as a non-profit charity in August of 2002. Since then, dozens of companion animals have been patched up and showered with love before being adopted out to their new families.

"It's our lives, it's our passion," said Moerkerken, "That's why it's called Big Heart Rescue, it's all about heart."

For more information, visit www.bigheartrescue.com, email
spiritsmission@shaw.ca, or call 1-604-583-DOGS (3647).