Pawsitive Haven Animal Rescue, based north of Airdrie in Carstairs, has announced it is closing down operations.
The announcement from the rescue came on social media on Wednesday.
"We would like to remember all of the amazing animals that we helped rescue over the last 6 years! It all started with a little Dachshund named Willow and that very quickly grew into us buying kennels, and rescuing over 2000 dogs and cats! This included spaying, neutering, vaccinating and ensuring that they all found amazing homes!" the social media post stated in part.
Ashley Chopping, co-owner and operator, said that while she knew she would have to make the decision, it hasn't made it any easier.
"It's hard, really hard. We have poured our heart and soul into this for the past six years," she said. "It's really difficult to let it go, especially knowing that so many animals out there [in] need it."
In recent years, the rescue faced challenges in finding a suitable location for its operations. Chopping noted that rental prices ranged from $3,000 to $5,000, making it difficult for the nonprofit to continue.
"We've searched high and low, and unfortunately, everything is way over our budget or just not zoned to have animals at all. We can't afford three to five thousand; it is entirely unobtainable as a nonprofit, primarily since we're based solely on donations. Sheena [Forsythe] and I have already poured our heart and soul into this... We can't keep doing it out of our own pockets."
While the organization considered boosting its funding through various grants, Chopping remarked that securing animal-related financing is very difficult.
"We've done everything that we can do, and it's just time to call it quits, unfortunately, and it breaks my heart, but it's just not feasible with the way the prices are right now; it's almost unobtainable."
Chopping also observed that rising costs have impacted the rescue and the number of animals being surrendered, an alarming trend many rescues across the province have faced for several years.
"I wish I had a space to say we can take them all, but unfortunately, my husband won't let me bring any more home," she joked.
Despite the closure, Pawsitive Haven aims to continue its involvement in the community through the Carstairs Show and Shine. In its social media post, the rescue stated that it plans to donate funds to a charity of its choosing.
"We've reached out to the people that help us organize, and we've all decided that going forward, we'll just pick a new charity every year, and then we can work with that charity, and we'll put a little bit of money aside for the Show and Shine the following year and make it bigger and better each year, and then the rest of it will go towards whichever charity we choose."
Reflecting on the rescue's legacy, Chopping shared a memorable moment that sparked the initiative.
"The thing that got it all started: the day that we adopted Willow, that was how the rescue started," she said. "We adopted this little dog that was going to be euthanized because they said she was aggressive, and she was not aggressive at all, and she's just such a sweetheart."
Willow is currently living with her forever family in Didsbury.
"That was probably one of the best days ever; it was when she got adopted and got to go home to her forever family."
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