Five kittens found in the garbage at a local landfill need help as they get a second chance at life.
When every other shelter was full, Luvs Northern Animal Rescue took on the challenge of caring for the kittens even though the volunteer-based Prince George group had stopped accepting rescues because funds are low.
“The lady that found them had to hunt through the trash to make sure there were only five,” said Andrea Sowers of Luvs Northern Animal Rescue.
Sowers said she knew she couldn’t turn them away, as this is her life's work.
“I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t take them,” Sowers said. “And I won’t stop. I can’t stop. I know in my lifetime I won’t end animal cruelty and neglect – I won’t – but I still have enough time in this life to save some more.”
Sowers started out volunteering at the BC SPCA about 20 years ago.
“And because I have children and I always wanted my children to be able to give back to community we volunteered at the SPCA, we love animals so that’s where we started,” she said.
“I quickly realized you could foster animals from the SPCA and I thought ‘you can take animals home and raise little babies? Wow, that’s cool.’ Very quickly after that I became their volunteer foster care co-ordinator and then I stepped up as their fundraising manager and it was one step after another because I always loved animals and wanted to make a difference.”
She felt she should take her helping out to another level and started Luvs Northern Animal Rescue seven years ago.
Sowers said she is very passionate about the welfare of animals.
“They don’t have a voice – that slogan from the SPCA – ‘speak for those who cannot speak for themselves’ – it really holds true,” Sowers said. “There’s been a few turning points in my life that have sent me in the direction of the care for animals starting at a very young age. That’s how I was raised.”
Her entire family has always loved animals, Sowers added.
“I am raising six children that I hope show the same care and love for animals that will continue to make a difference in this world,” Sowers said.
She admits the rescue is a lot of work.
“But I know it’s exactly where I am supposed to be,” she said. “It’s a difficult road, don’t get me wrong, I mean currently we’re $30,000 in medical debt. I’m stressed yet fortunate because I’ve been in this community long enough that the BC SPCA, where I carry the majority of my medical debt, believes in me and believes in the work I am doing and I believe in this community for the support.”
Sowers is not a registered charity with a board of directors to help carry the load. There is just a small group of volunteers, herself included, that manage the rescue out of the goodness of their hearts.
“The generosity of the community is how we continue to pay our bills,” Sowers said. “Saving one animal at a time.”
So as they have exhausted their finances, Sisters’ Rock’n Gems will help ramp up ongoing fundraising efforts by having a giant plant sale on Saturday, Aug. 17, with all proceeds going to help offset the cost of animal care.
Sue Bloomingdale, co-owner of the shop at 1276 Fourth Ave. in downtown Prince George, has a strong love of animals and has always had a donation can by the till for donations to help local animals in distress.
When Bloomingdale heard about Luvs Northern Animal Rescue and the challenges of continuously taking in unwanted animals she decided to make her fundraising more intentional.
At the back of the store Bloomingdale has a table filled with house plants for sale.
“And all the money goes to Luvs Northern Animal Rescue and now people are dropping off plants to help with the cause,” Bloomingdale said.
“There’s one man that has dropped off about $800 worth of plants and he’s always bringing in more. All together we’ve given Luvs more than $4,000. I know it’s a little amount but all of it helps.”
Getting the kittens found at the dump to the vet will cost more than the rescue has. The kittens are in good shape and just need to start their vaccinations and eventually be spayed and neutered.
“Luvs is in constant need of funding and this story really breaks my heart,” Bloomingdale said. She hopes to raise $1,000 Saturday.
Sowers said another way to donate to the cause is to donate directly to the BC SPCA Spay and Neuter Clinic in Luvs Northern Animal Rescue’s name.
“Every little bit helps,” she said.
