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Heaven Can Wait needing some help

A Foothills area animal rescue organization isn’t looking for heavenly intervention, but it does need some help.
Heaven Can Wait 1
Kim Hessel, founder of Heaven Can Wait, at the animal rescue facility south of High River in Foothills County. (File photo Brent Calver/Western Wheel)

A Foothills area animal rescue organization isn’t looking for heavenly intervention, but it does need some help.

“We still have about 175 cats and as rescue dogs we have 39 dogs on property,” said Kim Hessel, founder of Heaven Can Wait, located about five kilometres south of High River. “My biggest worry is what happens in four weeks when people get more concerned about money and what the future is going to look like – what resources will we have then for bedding, food and the things we need.”

Heaven Can Wait, a not-for-profit organization, is facing a double whammy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are donations running lower as residents watch their pennies, one of its biggest revenues, kennels, is being depleted as people are no longer travelling.

“The kennel is what supports the charity – and there is no money coming in from the kennel, zero,” Hessel said. “I am a little bit worried what the future looks like.”

She said it has received great support from Okotoks, Foothills County, High River and surrounding area.

“They have helped us get enough food to not have to worry about for the next four weeks, maybe longer if I am careful,” Hessel said. “What I also want to do is to have food available for people if they do hit a cash crunch-- if they need food for their cat and their dog… I want to be able to be that resource.”

The animal rescue does do animal adoptions, but safety for the dog, cat and owner is paramount.

Of the 39 dogs only a handful can be adopted due to being feral or aggression issues. COVID-19 has changed how the adoption process is done.

“We are doing a lot by phone, we are being careful how many people are on the property at a time,” Hessel said. “We are also making sure people are committed for the long-term, not maybe because they are home now, or the kids are bored.”

It typically adopts out 10 to 12 animals a month.

It also is currently doing foster programs with animals. 

Heaven Can Wait will not euthanize a healthy animal. There are concerns dogs and/or cats will be left at the animal rescue facility as families face financial difficulties.

“That is partly why I want to help people to keep their animal if things continue over a longer period of time as opposed to just taking them,” Hessel said. “It’s always been that way but it is so uncertain what the future is.”

Also kitten season is coming, which could mean an increase of felines at the facility.

She said what would help from the public is financial donations or supplies, like litter, food or paper towels.

“We are just hoping that people are remembering us when they are out getting their own supplies and think of us when they are thinking of animal care in Foothills County, Okotoks or High River,” she said.

Several pet stores in the area, including Pet Valu in Okotoks and High River, are collecting for Heaven Can Wait (pet supplies stores have been deemed an essential business by the provincial government).

Heaven Can Wait, which has been existence for more than 20 years, has helped the Foothills weather a crisis in the past.

During the 2013 flood it took in more than 700 animals.

For information on how to donate to Heaven Can Wait, including PayPal, go to its website at www.heavencanwait.ca r call 403-660-4744 or 403-618-9899.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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