07/12/2024
To our PFP Family: As I mentioned yesterday, Parachutes for Pets would have more to say on the horrifying death of Lucky, the beautiful dog left in a hot car for hours. Since September 2023 we have offered a safekeeping program with support from the Calgary Foundation inclement weather and in times of crisis (our Weegz & Wagz wellness program). Our program is usually full, and most of the time we have partnering kennels helping out with additional space.
We knew this wasn’t going to be enough to fill the gap amongst a housing crisis, where we continuously respond to calls from partnering outreach teams for seniors, families, and youth that are unhoused with pets. Early in the year we began to strategize on expanding the program and adding more kennel spaces to accommodate the need. The aim was going to be to have this going for the winter.
The past two months have prompted us to accelerate this initiative and do whatever it takes to make this work. Yesterday, upon hearing the death of Lucky—and wondering if we could have somehow made a difference in the outcome of the situation—we committed to have this new space open by the end of August.
Today, we are announcing the upcoming opening of a new safekeeping space in Ogden to help fill that need. This space will offer low income pet day care as well as safekeeping and will operate 24/7. We know the time to act is now—there can’t be one more pet needlessly lost. One is one too many.
‘The Landing Pad, brought to you by Parachutes for Pets’ is a new initiative expanding our Weegz & Wagz program, in collaboration with Mackenzie Weegar which will enhance our safekeeping program by an additional 60 safekeeping spaces. This facility will be barrier free to pet guardians.
We are going to be honest, we could use your help to ensure this initiative is a success. If you would like to volunteer, please email [email protected] or to donate or sponsor a kennel, please use the link below.
https://buff.ly/3W0G5TF
The first kennel at Ogden will be dedicated to Lucky.
Thank you,
Melissa David
Photo credit: City News Calgary