The Moose Jaw Dog Club holds an annual fundraiser that donates to a charitable organization. Last year, they donated to Riverside Mission. This year, the club gave $500 to the Free to be Me Animal Sanctuary.
The Dog Club has about 30 members, and about 50 students that come to classes with their dogs. They teach obedience, conformation, and agility.
“We do several fundraisers,” said Allison Rain, treasurer of the Moose Jaw Dog Club (MJDC). “But once a year, we designate a fundraiser to a charitable organization. This year we chose Free to be Me.”
The MJDC has an upcoming show at the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company from April 1 to 3. It is an official Agility Association of Canada Trial.
Spectators are welcome. More information is available by emailing [email protected].
“Agility is like an individual sport, you’re actually competing with yourself, right?” MJDC secretary Shelley Solie explained. “You complete a clean run within a time limit, and you move up divisions as you get more qualifying runs.”
“Any dog can do agility, and it’s all about getting titles,” Rain joked. “No, it’s really about having fun, it’s all about having fun, and bonding, and your companionship with your best friend.”
Solie and Rain said the MJDC is very happy to be able to donate to the animal sanctuary and to know that the $500 would directly benefit animals in need.
Louanne Shropshire, owner and operator of the Free to be Me farm animal sanctuary, said that 100 per cent of donations go to caring for her animals.
“It’s amazing, I’m so grateful to the Dog Club,” she said.
Shropshire has been rescuing unwanted farm animals for about 17 years. She began offering tours to the public about eight or nine years ago. People in the area will call her to see if she can take in animals they’ve become aware of. She said she gets many calls from the Humane Society.
“A lot of them are just not wanted anymore,” Shropshire said. “We have a lot of handicapped animals. We’ve got a cow that has no eyes – we have a lot of blind animals. We’re working with a pig named Mikey right now, who isn’t able to walk anymore. We’re not sure what the outcome will be with him yet.”
The sanctuary has about 75 animals. They give a home to every type of creature, from cows, horses, and pigs to emus, ostriches, and alpacas.
Winter cold is always a challenge. This year has been tough, Shropshire said sadly. They had to make sure all the animals had proper bedding. More vulnerable animals had to be brought indoors, and that’s meant buying more feed.
“We’re going to put this money toward some hay,” Shropshire said. “Feed was really scarce last year, I’m down to my last bale of straw. Because it’s been so cold, I’ve had to use everything I have.”
As soon as it warms up enough, Shropshire hopes to start offering tours again. She has many animals who enjoy human company. One small rooster named Gunther came over to be picked up, and cuddled close to her with obvious affection.
Volunteers have a cherished place at Free to be Me. Shropshire is extremely glad for the help, although she notes that the work isn’t glamorous.
Cutting up vegetables, mucking out stalls, giving the extra care that aging and handicapped animals need, changing bedding, and more are what you can expect as a volunteer.
If you’re interested in volunteering at the sanctuary, call Louanne Shropshire at 306-684-2231.
