A puppy plays inside a tube in a fenced area behind Bandaged Paws’ new safe-haven facility during its grand opening in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, July 27, 2019.
Peter Shokeir / Daily Herald-Tribune
Animals waiting for a new home can now find refuge at the new Bandaged Paws safe-haven facility, which celebrated its grand opening Saturday.Drew Rogers, spokesperson for Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association, explained that the new facility would act as a half-way home for animals not yet ready for fostering.“The in-home fostering is really the core of Bandaged Paws,” Rogers said. “We want these animals to be in homes, loved by families or whoever else is there.“But at the end of the day, not every animal can come and go directly to a foster home, so having this facility allows us to not only take in more animals right off the hop, but those animals that maybe aren’t ready to go to a home can come here first.”The grand opening featured facility tours, adoptable animals, a kids fair and other attractions.“Obviously, we want to show everyone the new Bandaged Paws (Animal) Rescue Association facility because we’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish over the last couple of months of scrubbing and all that good stuff,” Rogers said.
Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association held a grand opening for its new safe-haven facility in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, July 27, 2019.
Peter Shokeir /
Daily Herald-Tribune
The facility is housed at the former site of the Grande Prairie and District SPCA, which halted operations in 2016 after years of financial struggles and a debt of $250,000. Bandaged Paws is now leasing the space from the Edmonton Humane Society, which is the current owner.Bandaged Paws currently has 219 animals between its facility and foster program. The association helped 465 animals last year and 476 animals so far this year.“We’re on track to double what we did last year already, which is incredible,” Rogers said. “The facility, for sure, helps with that as well as the community. More interest in Bandaged Paws has been pouring in.“People have been figuring out what we’re all about, which is obviously helping dogs and cats find loving families, so who doesn’t want to get behind that?”Rogers noted that cats and dogs were the primary “wheelhouse” of Bandaged Paws but added that they could offer resources for other animals depending on the situation.More information about donations and volunteer opportunities is available at Bandaged Paws’ website and Facebook page.
A stray farm cat named Bella rests within a kennel at Bandaged Paws’ new safe-haven facility during its grand opening in Grande Prairie, Alta. on Saturday, July 27, 2019.
Peter Shokeir /
Daily Herald-Tribune