Director’s Message – December, 2024 15 Dec 2024 10:28 AM (10 months ago)
Dear Friends of Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter,
As the Founder and Executive Director of Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all our incredible donors, volunteers, and adopters who have stood by us in our mission to save and rehome animals. Your unwavering support enables us to provide shelter, care, and love to countless animals in need. Each donation, hour of volunteering, and adoption makes a profound difference in their lives, and we are truly grateful for your compassion and generosity.
2024 was an exciting year with the return of our Paws for Life Gala. It was a sold-out success and raised a lot of awareness about the plight of so many animals. However 2024 has seen it’s hardships. The ongoing Canada Postal Mail strike has significantly impacted our ability to receive donations, with contributions down approximately 70% compared to this time last year. Despite these difficulties, the need for our services has only grown, with an overwhelming number of animals arriving at our doors. Cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies continue to need our help, and we are committed to being there for them. To navigate this critical period, we urgently ask for your continued support through alternative methods such as e-transfers, our Formstack page, or PayPal. We are also excited to announce that we now accept donations in the form of stocks thru Canada Helps, offering even more ways to contribute to our cause.
Watch out for an exciting 2025. We will be doing a Pickle Ball event, our first Dog Run and more! I am immensely blessed to work alongside a team of extraordinary staff at the Shelter. Their dedication to the animals is nothing short of remarkable, and they give selflessly every day to ensure every pet in our care feels safe and loved. Together, with your support, we can continue to provide a lifeline to the animals who need us most. Thank you for standing with us through these challenging times and for your unwavering commitment to the welfare of animals in our community.
I wish you all a very Blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!
With gratitude,
Carla Martinelli-Irvine
Founder & Executive Director
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Donation Matching for All of June 2024! 11 Jun 2024 8:35 AM (last year)
For the entire month of June, our friends at Petsecure will match your donations to the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter up to $5,000! This initiative is supported by a grant from Definity Insurance Foundation with funding from the Definity Insurance Company.
Please consider making a donation here in the month of June to help us reach our goal!
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Director’s Message – January 2024 11 Jan 2024 5:30 AM (last year)
Dear Supporters and Friends of the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter,
As we reflect on the past year at our new location in the Courts of St. James, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible journey we’ve experienced together. It’s been a year filled with heartwarming successes, incredible challenges, and unwavering dedication from our team, volunteers, and generous supporters like you.
I am thrilled to share that in the last year, our pet adoptions have skyrocketed by an astonishing 300%. This achievement is a testament to the boundless love and compassion of our community. Every adopted pet represents a life transformed and a forever home found, and it wouldn’t have been possible without your continued support.
I want to express my deepest appreciation to our dedicated volunteers who tirelessly devote their time, energy, and love to the animals in our care. Your selflessness and commitment have been instrumental in our success, and we are immensely grateful for your unwavering support.
To my exceptional staff at the Shelter, I am continuously in awe of your unwavering dedication and hard work. Your passion for animal welfare shines through in every aspect of our operations, and it’s because of your tireless efforts that we’ve been able to accomplish so much this year.
Despite the incredible strides we’ve made, the need for financial support remains critical. The number of animals seeking refuge at our shelter has increased significantly. Many arrive injured and in need of urgent veterinary care, including surgeries and medical attention. Our commitment to providing these animals with the care they deserve has never wavered, but this comes with substantial financial responsibility. As a 100% donor-supported organization, we rely on your continued generosity to ensure we can meet these growing needs and give every animal a chance at a happy ending.
I’m proud to say that despite the challenges, we’ve been able to provide comprehensive vet care to the injured animals that have crossed our threshold. Witnessing their remarkable recoveries and joyous adoptions into loving homes has been the highlight of our year.
As we look ahead, I invite both new and returning patrons to visit our beautiful retail area. It’s not just a place to find your pets’ needs but also a way to support the animals under our care. Every purchase directly contributes to providing essentials and care for our shelter animals.
In closing, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has supported us throughout this incredible year. Your generosity, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about our mission, is what sustains us and enables us to continue making a difference in the lives of these deserving animals.
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Member Statement by Marty Morantz 4 May 2023 9:09 AM (2 years ago)
February 7, 2023
Marty Morantz
Member Of Parliment
Charleswood / St. James—Assiniboia / Headingley
Mr. Speaker, I am rising today to celebrate the great work of the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. Before the House rose last year, I had the pleasure of joining the grand opening of its brand-new location on Portage Avenue in my riding. The work that Carla Martinelli-Irvine and her team do at this shelter is truly vital and heartwarming.
This organization has rescued more than 10,000 animals that find themselves without places to call home. The Pet Rescue Shelter takes these animals in, gives them medical treatment and ensures that they have places to stay before they eventually find their new homes. Most importantly, the Pet Rescue Shelter is Manitoba’s first no-kill animal shelter. It understands that our furry friends should never be euthanized simply because they find themselves without owners.
I want to thank Carla and her entire team for the work that they do, and I wish them all continued success in helping Manitoba pets find their forever homes.
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2021 Christmas Giving Guide 25 Nov 2021 4:43 AM (3 years ago)
Browse our 2021 Christmas Gift Guide and spoil your pet this upcoming season while supporting the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter.
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2021 Christmas Pet Baskets Available 16 Nov 2021 10:29 AM (3 years ago)
CHRISTMAS IS HERE!
The Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter has the perfect gift for your dog or cat or pet lover in your life! The basket includes an assortment of treats and toys which will delight the recipient. *Product selection may vary of similar product or price point.
To order, use the secure online form below or call 204-832-PETS (7387). In addition, we’re offering FREE delivery within the city of Winnipeg. View high resolution PDF.
Online Form – 2021 Christmas Basket Order Form
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2021 Pet Advent Calendars 11 Nov 2021 4:03 AM (3 years ago)
Order your 2021 pet advent calendars in support of the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter using the secure form below. Supply is limited so order today! Once your order is complete, it will be available for pick up at the Shelter, located at 3062 Portage Avenue.
Online Form – 2021 Advent Order Form
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Director’s Message – March 2021 23 Mar 2021 5:10 PM (4 years ago)
With the advent of spring and the improved outlook regarding vaccination roll-outs our future seems more optimistic than at the time of my last Director’s Message. Nonetheless many of you have experienced COVID-19 hardships and even the loss of loved ones. With respect I offer my sincere condolences.
The Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter continues its “Reverence for Life” mission and appreciates that so many pets have been adopted over the past few months are providing comfort and companionship to their new owners in these challenging times.
Our newly introduced “Behind the Scenes” video broadcast has been well received by those viewing our Facebook page. Usually on this short program we feature some of our beautiful pets who are needed special treatments.
Very unfortunately some cruelty and neglect are still apparent in some areas of the society, however, some pets are relinquished to the shelter for legitimate reasons including allergies, declining or poor health, or moving, etc. by their owners. We are certainly willing and able to respond to such circumstances, and can promise care and comfort until adoptions are arranged to new and loving homes.
Our newly expanded retail and boutique area in the Shelter continues to flourish, and I invite you to view our exciting array of products, many of which have been brought to our Shelter for the first time.
Naturally COVID precautions are still applied but I enthusiastically invite you to visit the Shelter. All proceeds go to the benefit of innocent and wonderful pets. Furthermore, your furry friends will be delighted you made the visit!
I hope to see you soon. Best wishes.
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Director’s Message – December 2020 8 Dec 2020 3:26 AM (4 years ago)
The world has changed immensely since my last Director’s message. We are all aware of the suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last several months. I applaud those who have endured and recovered from the corona virus, but far more importantly I deeply sympathize with those who have lost loved ones. Please accept my deepest condolences.
On a professional level each of us is addressing the situation in a variety of different ways, ranging from very large to very small steps. At the Shelter, in spite of certain alterations in operational details, including the safety of our staff and customers, our mission is unchanged. REVERENCE FOR LIFE is still the essence of our work. Innocent pets still need medical treatment and supplies, proper feeding, love and care, all of which are focused towards changing their lives for the good through the screened adoptions to loving homes.
Unfortunately, job losses and financial difficulties have forced many of the Shelter’s friends to reduce or even cancel their financial support. Our expenses remain a huge challenge, and your help through donations or monthly commitments would be greatly appreciated. As a Registered Charity all donations will receive a tax receipt for income tax purposes.
Speaking personally, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January this year. Through the Grace of God and brilliant care of our doctors and nurses, two timely surgeries and cancer treatments were completed. I am feeling very well, and after being away for many months I am now able to devote more time to the Shelter on behalf of the wondrous pets with whom we share the earth. I am very grateful to my dedicated staff who worked very hard, as usual, during my absence. Many friends and supporters of the Shelter offered prayers for me , and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Necessity is the catalyst to invention, history shows that humans are amazingly adaptable and creative in situations of crisis. It is wonderful to say at the time of this writing it was just announced that Canada will be receiving vaccinations for COVID-19! Indeed some are saying with the ADVENT of medical miracles, the light at the end of the tunnel is now visible.
The saying “Merry Christmas” has always been a comforting and loving expression. This year it carries a special profound meaning for us all. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
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Shop from home & support the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter! 6 Dec 2020 1:35 PM (4 years ago)
I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and doing well. At Christmas time we usually hold a one day Open House at the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. Pet lovers socialize together, partake of refreshments and snacks, purchase Christmas treats for their pets, and often we see donations to help maintain the Shelter’s solvency. Owing to safety issues associated with COVID-19 our Open House 2020 is not being scheduled.
This year is different in so many ways. In particular we recognize that some of you have experienced the suffering or even loss of a loved one. We offer respectful condolences.
As a designated essential service the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter remains open, and every measure is being taken to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Nevertheless for those of you who are staying home we have drawn up a “Shop from Home” Guide. From now until and including 22 December, a FREE Delivery service will apply to all orders of $25.00 or more from the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter to any address of your choice within Winnipeg. This service is generously provided by Harvey Cherniak, Owner of First Choice Courier, exclusively for the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. This option can be used for all items and or products at the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. Simply contact us by phone, 204-832-9880 or email carla@wpgpet.ca to provide further details.
A Christmas Giving Guide featuring some of the Shelter’s most popular items is below for your perusal. You may wish to spoil your own wonderful pet, or even have presents sent to the pet lover in your life! The delivery can go to a destination of your choice, including a home or a workplace. If you wish to make a donation for a Christmas Gift or to help the animals, please click here. A charitable tax receipt will be emailed to you for income tax purposes.
As another option you are invited to use our contactless curb-side pickup service. Simply phone in your order to 204-832-9880. When you arrive at the Shelter, let us know by calling and a Shelter staff member will bring out the order to you.
I wish I had the opportunity to say it in person, but please know that I am very grateful for your support. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the very best of wishes for your good health and happiness in the New Year.
Sincerely,
Carla Martinelli-Irvine
Founder & Executive Director
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