A lot has happened at SAINTS Rescue over the last few months—there’s been change, new animal arrivals, heartbreaking losses, and incredible moments of community support.
Big News: A New Home!
On September 25th, we officially took possession of our new property in Whonnock, Maple Ridge! This is an incredible step forward, as the new space offers the infrastructure and extra land we need. With more grazing areas, there will be less rotation needed for our barn animals, improving their quality of life.
Though our current property holds a special place in our hearts—it’s where SAINTS began—this move symbolizes growth, like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. We hope to complete the transition by April 2025, once essential upgrades are done to make the space move-in ready.
We’ll need the community’s support throughout this process—it takes a village to care for animals in need. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved!
New Arrivals
We’ve welcomed some wonderful new animals to the sanctuary. Darwin, an 8-year-old Shih Tzu, arrived with dental issues and a cherry eye, both of which have now been treated. We’re hopeful that Darwin will find a loving foster or forever home soon, as he’d thrive in a house setting.
Toby and Bigshot are two new feline friends. Toby is diabetic, has FIV, and is dealing with some eye issues. Bigshot is obese and on a treatment plan to improve his health. With 27 cats currently in our care, we know how vital it is to provide proper medical support. Diabetic cats, in particular, are often surrendered because of the challenges involved with their care. But did you know that unlike humans, diabetic cats can go into remission and live insulin-free lives? They make wonderful companions, so please consider adopting or fostering one.
Allister, a new pig, is still a bit wary but loves belly scratches—from a safe distance, using a back scratcher! He came to us as "Alice," but with the discovery of two, um, extra features, it became clear he was "Allister." He’s been neutered but will remain separated from the other pigs for 60 days to avoid any piglet surprises (as adorable as they’d be).
Heartfelt Losses
Sadly, we’ve had to say goodbye to some beloved residents recently. Bentley, our sweet Boxer, was known for his friendly demeanor and adorable teefy smile. Bentley helped Duke— a dog who likely hadn’t met many other dogs—learn to socialize. Duke now lives happily with Hannah, thanks to Bentley’s guidance. Bentley will forever be missed.
Jesse, a 20-year-old cat, Deborah, Mia, and Jack (foster cats), and Rick the Quail have also crossed the rainbow bridge. Loss is always hard, but we take comfort in knowing they were loved, cared for, and cherished during their time with us. This is the heart of what we do.
Success Stories and Fosters
In brighter news, we’ve had some wonderful foster and adoption successes recently. Ziggy, our donkey who lost his buddy Rupert, has found a perfect home with a new family that has a single donkey. They’ve bonded beautifully and are enjoying life on a private hobby farm. Other recent fosters include Pepe, Daisy, Tassy, Lady, and Blue, who is in a trial foster.
20th Anniversary Gala Success
Our 20th Anniversary Gala Ball was a huge success! The event was filled with silent and live auctions, wonderful supporters, and generous donations. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we raised an incredible $105,000. We are immensely grateful for this outpouring of support, which will go toward providing care for senior and special needs animals.
The Road Ahead
With our upcoming move and rising costs, fundraising is more important than ever. We’ve been fortunate to receive support through pub nights, community collections, and more. Every act of kindness makes a difference, and we couldn’t do this without all of you.
If you’re looking for a way to give back this festive season, please consider fundraising for SAINTS. Together, we can continue to provide a safe and loving home for animals in need.
Thank you all for your ongoing support! We’ll be back with more updates soon. Until then, take care and stay kind.
Love,
The SAINTS Rescue Team
