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Dogs to be airlifted out of Wollaston Lake

Jan 5, 2018 | 1:00 PM

Two dogs from Wollaston Lake have been given a new lease on life.

A medium-sized Husky named Zeus, as well as a younger pup who has recently been following him, are scheduled to be airlifted to La Ronge later today (Jan. 5). Their rescue comes after Wollaston Lake Health Centre nurse practitioner Wendy Quinn wrote a Facebook status Jan. 4 appealing to the public for help.

“Zeus is a dog who has been in our midst for about six to eight months,” she said. “But, we’re all contract workers and we don’t stay here permanently, so his care is very up and down. We feed him and try to take care of him as much as we can. Now that it’s been extremely cold, it’s been difficult for us to manage him and we’re scared for him.”

Without being rescued, Quinn was worried the dog would either freeze to death, starve or be shot by local authorities.

“The community’s response to dogs who are sort of stray or not owned by anyone is to have them shot,” she said.

There were also concerns about feeding Zeus at the health centre because doing so attracted other dogs to the facility, Quinn said. But, with Zeus and his fellow canine companion headed to La Ronge, she’s grateful so many people offered to assist.

“I got goosebumps and chills up my spine,” Quinn said. ” I didn’t realize the amount of love and passion people have for animals. All I’ve heard since last night is ‘we have to save Zeus.’” 

Paws Up North Canada founder Jackie King volunteered to pick up Zeus when he arrives in La Ronge. King will then travel with the dogs to Southend until they can be sent with other dogs to Alberta. Recently, Alberta animal rescues accepted 83 dogs from Saskatchewan, King said.

“As far as I’m aware, we’ll be able to put Zeus on the next large-scale transport we do in January,” King said. 

 

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno