Big Heart Rescue does not seek out chained, abused and neglected animals. Community members find their way to us after turning to the SPCA time and time again for assistance and then receive none.

The Golden Retriever was reported to the SPCA by neighbours over a period of six years... yet she still languishes on a chain. We are currently working on her release.

The last visit by the SPCA to Bella Bella was in 2002. The band and council requested assistance from the SPCA since this time, with no results. Big Heart Rescue implemented a low cost sterilization/vaccination program in Bella Bella which is reducing the number of unwanted puppies/kittens and the community is now experiencing healthier animals.

The dogs left chained at the abandoned house were reported to the Nanaimo SPCA by three neighbours. One neighbour was told to stop feeding the dogs so they could be apprehended due to critical distress. It was explained to the neighbour by a BHR member that this was inaccurate as the dogs had been abandoned and the SPCA could seize them immediately. One dog is now happily adopted and the other is in a loving foster home.

The SPCA would not assist the dog whose face was detached from his jaw. The SPCA stated they had no employees in the remote area the dog lived in. This dog received $2500.00 in surgery at Animal Critical Care and is now living happily with his adoptive family.

The boxer is in training to be an aggressive guard dog for a junk yard. We are currently assessing the situation to see if an intervention is possible.

These are just a few examples of concerned citizens turning to a small, non-profit rescue group for assistance and the result being animals finding the help that they require.

Gail Moerkerken
President
Big Heart Rescue