Left alone inside a box, on an Okanagan forest service road, six puppies were rescued thanks to a Good Samaritan who found them near an Okanagan rural property.
The pups were left with no mother inside, "no food and discarded like trash."
The Good Samaritan reached out to the Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) to help assist with the dogs. An OHS volunteer attended the scene to help the puppies鈥� rescuer when they heard more whimpering nearby. Another pup who had somehow escaped from the box was found trembling just a short distance away from their siblings.
According to OHS president Romany Runnalls, this quiet rural property, where the puppies were found, has sadly become a known dumping ground for unwanted animals including cats but 鈥渢his time it was puppies鈥攊nnocent, vulnerable, and completely defenceless.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 a heartbreaking sign of the times with the cost of living and veterinary costs soaring, shelters saying no and some feel they have nowhere to turn,鈥� explained Runnalls.
The story of these puppies could have turned tragic, but fortunately, it did not.
鈥淏ecause of the compassion of a passing Good Samaritan鈥攁nd the dedication of an OHS volunteer foster鈥攖hese puppies were given a second chance,鈥� explained Runnalls. 鈥淣ow, wrapped in warmth and love, they're growing stronger each day, tails wagging, eyes bright with the promise of a better tomorrow.鈥�
This story is just one of many that OHS deals with on a daily basis, as they work with neglected, abused and abandoned animals across the Okanagan.
Last year, OHS helped more than 4,150 animals and is on track to hit this number or even higher as the calls for help continue to pour in during 2025.
鈥淲e get calls seven days a week, 365 days a year. We do our best to answer the calls, return the emails and help every animal we can, we try to be available and solutions-based to support people and the animals,鈥� said Runnalls.
The charity provides a collaborative approach to animal welfare by working with the community, a team of rescue and foster volunteers and more than 40 veterinary partners throughout the Okanagan Valley.
鈥淭here are so many people involved to save lives in the Okanagan and that is what makes OHS different. Our rescue work is done by volunteers, and our fosters are volunteers, we have many veterinary partners and a low-cost foster model so more of our donor dollars go directly to the animals,鈥� explained Runnalls.
This is why donations are key to OHS continuing to provide support to animals in the region.
The annual Raffle to Rescue Animals is one way to support the non-profit, with the fundraiser in its last week. So far more than $40,000 has been raised for local animals but OHS is still hoping to hit its target of $75,000.
鈥淵ou can buy tickets for the raffle but also make a donation for a tax receipt and we had two generous donors step forward to match the first $15,000 in donations,鈥� added Runnalls.
The charity does not receive government funding and relies on support from the community to continue its work.
The annual Raffle to Rescue Animals is one initiative during the year OHS does to raise much-needed funds.
You can support the raffle by getting your tickets today or donating at: https://trellis.org/ohsraffle.
