About SCARS

Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS) is dedicated to reducing the number of homeless animals in Northern Alberta, Canada

We believe that there is a suitable home for all homeless animals: young or old; large or small.

As a volunteer-run, registered charity, we care for these animals by providing veterinary care and foster homes for animals in need until a permanent home is found. These private foster homes provide the animals with warm shelter, food, exercise, and tender loving care (something that so many of the animals we receive have never experienced).

SCARS does not practice selective intake procedures and operates in a triage manner: taking the animal in most medical need first. As a result our medical expenses are enormous. Please consider donating to our rescue efforts.


Look At Us Now!

To date, SCARS has rescued and rehomed over 3,000 animals.

Because these animals live in our homes, we deveop a very deep bond with our fosters. Many of the adoptive families keep us updated on how well their new companions are thriving in their new homes.

To all the wonderful foster homes, all the tireless volunteers, all the compassionate furever-homes: we say a heartfelt thank-you!

Please support your local rescue society and consider adoption as opposed to buying your new friend.


Tuesday 30 December 2008

Bramble (Beatrice)

Hi,


Thought it was time I updated you on Bramble’s progress. Since adopting her in August she’s come a long way but is still very shy with strangers. She’s very bonded to me and will try to follow me wherever I go. She absolutely loves her walks and that’s where her real personality comes out – she can relax and just be the young dog she is. Her favourite outing is to go tobogganing with the two little boys in her family – she races them down the hill and then runs back and forth while they slowly make their way back up. She’s very bright and caught on to the tasks in obedience school quickly. And while she hasn’t yet convinced the family cat that he should play with her, she keeps trying. Her best buddy is another SCARS adoptee who lives 5 houses down from us on the block – they’ve had many a happy day having a play-date in our backyard. While I know that Bramble will probably never fully overcome her fears, she’s still a wonderful addition to our house who makes us laugh with her enthusiasm for snow, stuffies and peanut butter.

Anneliese

Friday 26 December 2008

SweetPea

Thank-you SCARS for giving us the chance to welcome SweetPea into our family!

She really fits in with our household. And she loves her new sister and brother. She loves to cuddle up with them on the couch and take a nice nap. In the mornings, she will sit beside me and put her paws on my shoulders and give me a hug, and it melts my heart. She also gives A LOT of kisses to everyone who will accept them. Even the cat. SweetPea also enjoys truck rides and just about bursts at the seams when she knows it's time to go driving. She likes to look out the window and bark at the birds. SweetPea has made our little family complete and we love her deeply.

Thank you SCARS.

SweetPea and Susan

Stella (Abby)

Hello everyone at SCARS,


I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on Stella (who was named Abbey) who we adopted from Sylvia.

Abbey has been fantastic and a wonderful addition to our family. The first couple of days were hard on her as I believe she was adjusting to her new surroundings and family - myself, Lindsay and our two cats, Artoo and Felicity, but she is now definitely a huge part of our family. Since we adopted her, Abbey has gone from being quite shy and timid to very outgoing and playful. Christmas has been fantastic to all of us and Abbey received more gifts than any of us combined. We look forward to watching her grow and know that there will be plenty of Christmas' ahead to enjoy with her. So thank you SCARS and Sylvia for making our adoption process so easy. We never imagined that we would get someone as wonderful as Abbey. You've really enriched our lives with all of the hard work you all put in.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Tony, Lindsay, Artoo, Felicity and Abbey

Tuesday 23 December 2008

Nikki (AKA Tuff, Niko)

Dear SCARS,

Niki is four now and the vet is so amazed at his progress. He is my constant companion.

Thank you all for your tireless work!

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2009.

Christie and Niki



May 29, 2008

It all started when I kept trying to ‘steal’ my daughter’s beautiful dog ‘Sasha!’ My daughter told me to get my own dog! My younger daughter, Kimi, discovered SCARS and said she was amazed at the variety of pups and dogs on this rescue site! I didn’t want a new puppy, they were easy to adopt, I wanted a dog that would be a great guard dog, large, tough and powerful.

I was immediately drawn to Niko. Not the picture, (the photos never do these beauties justice) not really the story, but something drew me to him, a feeling maybe. He had already been rescued once before.

Now he was back, rescued again.

Niki had spent the last two and a half years in very unfavorable conditions to say the least. Without going into details, I can only say this sweet boy did not learn the social skills puppies need to as they would when they grow up in calm happy homes. It was just the opposite for this pup. Needless to say, his social skills are lacking.

I am so grateful for the patience SCARS has with dogs like him. When Niko was rescued, for the second time, he was too close to being sent to canine-heaven; they came in the nick of time.

When I took him for his first walk, he saw a Doberman, and he ‘reacted’ like an “explosive bolt of lightning,” tore after the other dog, dragging me onto the road into oncoming traffic. (I cannot imagine what happened to him to make him react this way, but whatever occurred, I KNOW it was not his doing!) This is when I decided the 100 pounds of powerful Boxer-Lab and I were not going to die tonight! I tackled him, and rolled onto the sidewalk with him, thankful we were alive. (So were the man and the Doberman who kept running!)

The next day, we started our walks with a full harness, halter and collar, and I attached Niki to my waist with three leads. There was no way this would happen again! I would be ready! As soon as he saw another dog and started to growl, I gave him the very sharp and stern “LEAVE IT!” command. I made sure I was prepared and he knew I meant business. After months of walks, love, talking, love, commands, treats, love, training, love, treats, consistency, and building trust day in, day out, I realized I have a comical canine genius, who is 100% protective, wanting so much to please me. He is loyal, loving, neat and tidy (but I can’t get him to vacuum), great in the car, extremely Mr. Prefect in the house (not so much outside) but improving every day!

I can hardly wait to come home daily so we can play. I had to go to Sleep Country to buy a larger better bed, so we could both be more comfy! (YES really!) He follows me everywhere when I am home. (I’m at home a lot more than ever before because of my sweet Niki!) He has a new girlfriend next door. He adores my daughter and her boyfriend. He has a bed in almost every room and the best organic food money can buy.

He does not bark, rip furniture, make long distance phone calls, whine or destroy anything in the house. He is extremely content when I go to work (why not he gets the great bed all to himself!).
After our walks, he is happy to put his head on my lap as I read in bed or as I sit on the floor. (He never goes on the couch, as it is leather and he slides off! Too funny!) He is so patient and calm. During the night he gently places his large beautiful head on my hip and is so grateful for a warm place to live. (I can see this in his beautiful brown eyes!)

Considering he is lacking social skills, he is amazing with my four little grandchildren. Gentle and sweet and slurpee. (Babies drool, dogs don’t mind wiping it up – isn’t that great?) He loves women, he loves children, and sometimes… men. Niki has three times taken a protective stance in front of me during a walk when a male came too close, each time; rightfully so.

I may never be able to take him to a dog park, and he may not have the same skills other dogs have, but I would never give him up, not for any money. This beauty is a miracle.

So although my right arm is three inches longer than my left, it is no big deal. I can help reach for the cans at the top shelf at the store, so it’s all okay!

Niki would never be the right dog for every family, but he is the perfect dog for me. I am crazy about him. He may protect me, but I will protect him too! He will always have his freedom with me. He will never be chained up again, he will never be hurt in any way, and though he is still head-shy and ducks as I walk by to pat him, I lift his sweet face and let him give me kisses and eventually the pain of the past will start to fade as the love he is getting comes to the surface and drowns the memories he never deserved in the first place.

Thank you so very much SCARS!

Christie
Niki’s Mommy

Sox

Hi my name is Sox and I would like to update you on my forever home.


My people can't believe how much they love me. It's an unconditional love! Sometimes I can be a little knotty but even then my people seem to love me even more.
I have grown so much. They got me when I was about 5 weeks old, I was abandoned on a farm. I thought you would like to see me now. I am quite handsome if I do say so myself.

Friday 19 December 2008

Sarah

Hi there:


My girlfriend recently adopted Sarah from you and she is living with us at our acreage by Stony Plain. She is really fitting well into the household. She really loves to sit on the couch and watch everything and the birds through the window.

We have also bought her a pet bed and she only took one night before she was sleeping on that. So she is a really nice doggy. Sometimes she is a little difficult to get in and out of the car/truck/house but is really coming around. She is shy in the morning but usually about 5 boy she really busts loose and really loves to chase that ball. So she is a really nice doggy.

Thank you.

Neil

Sage (Pebbles)

Hello SCARS!


I just wanted to send some updated pictures of my girl Sage (formerly "Pebbles" from the Flintstones litter!). As you can see, after her rough start at life, she is a healthy happy girl, and she owes it all to you! I hardly know how to say thank you for everything you did for her and her littermates. I was told that the others had broken jaws from being abused, and Sage was one of several who had parvo. They were all going to be shot. We look at her now, likely approaching her first birthday sometime soon, and we can't imagine what could have been.
Thank you for making her important and caring for her when no one else did. She is a crazy happy little girl, full of energy and life and as feisty as they come! She loves to run, "chewies" are her favorite, she LIVES for peanut butter and steals coffee every chance she gets no matter how much trouble it gets her in! (??!) She watches tv (her favorite is the Dog Whisperer! We hope she will pick up some things by osmosis haha!! )and she thinks one of her single missions in life is to rid the world of tags! (?!) She has character and personality plus... and she is LOVELY when she is tired!! :) She now comes to us for affection, and is becoming a little less independent. She prefers to be interacting with us instead of outside on her own now, and brings us her bones to hold for her while she chews as she crawls into our laps (I think sometimes she sees us as her staff..!). She is becoming more loving and sweet and is starting to cuddle and loves to give kisses on your ear! We have worked hard together to build a bond, and we are now seeing her mature into a wonderful companion.The support that you have ALL provided me since I adopted Sage in May has been phenomenal! Thank you for keeping in touch with us and for always making us feel important. A special thank you to Colleen and Rick for loving her and keeping her safe in her foster home, I know how hard it was for you that day we sat in the grass together... saying your goodbyes and trusting me to care for her after all you had been through with her....and Pam you've been a huge support, always helping me through the challenging days, and offering advice to help make her the best girl she can be. It was more difficult than I had anticipated, taking on a little someone with a bruised past and an alpha nature...but it has been one of the most rewarding experiences and I'm so glad for it...and for her.So thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for her "Second Chance".
Keep up the amazing work, and Sage and I will continue to be proud advocates and share our story!
Happy Holidays!
xo Jen and Sage

Sunday 14 December 2008

Tug (Tuxedo)

Hi everyone @ Scars,

Just dropping you a line to say Merry Christmas to all at the shelter. I have been living the life of Riley out here on the farm. It is so fun to just run and run and run. I have been at my forever home for over a year now, and have met some new friends. My very bestest friend is my new dog brother Charlie. He is an old, and I mean old, Basset hound. He dosn't move very fast, so I wait for him at the door, and try to get him to run, but with not to much luck. We have separate dog bed's in Mom and Dad's room, but we prefur to sleep together. We have become inseperalbe. I have met the neighbours. One morning in the summer, I was outside when it thundered, and I bolted. I went right on into there kitchen. By the way... I can open doors, if you were wondering. I am so scared of thunder, it is not funny. Mom and Dad do their best if we have grey skies, they head me right for the door if I am outside, or don't let me out if I am inside. I just sit there and shake. Other than that, I mow the lawn's with grandpa, herd the kids on the quad, been boating, herd the horses around, and sit outside by the firepit in the summer, and wait for the hotdog's to come my way.

I have had some minor surgury as well. I had to have one of my dew claws removed, it was looking funny and was getting infected. I was a real trooper though. Had my surgery, wore cool colored bandages for about a week, and ran and ran. That didn't slow me down at all. The vet thinks I should get into agility training. My mom said she would look into it in the spring.

Well I think I have about covered my life out here, Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the cats. I like them. I chased one of them up a tree the first day I got here, but since then, we have all worked out our pecking order, and we are now friends. Go figure, never thought I would be saying that.

Well all I had better "run" Just snuck into the computer room to drop this line to you. Thanks for finding me my new home. Everyone just adore's me as much as I adore them. You all do very important and great work, so dogs like me can find happiness. Sloppy wet Tug kisses to all the volunteers...


Happy Holidays to all, and I hope Santa drops a few dog bone's in your stocking from me...

"Tug " AKA Tuxedo

Saturday 13 December 2008

Flora

Merry Christmas everyone and a special hello to Sylvia from Flora and family.

Flora has had a wonderful year of fun and adventure- swimming with her new life jacket, going bird hunting with her dad, camping all over Alberta. She is coming to Jasper for Christmas with her best friend and canine brother Basil, since we had such a great time there hiking and playing in the snow last year. She is looking forward to a new obedience training session starting in January. She is truly our little gem and we are grateful for her every day. Here are some recent photos of her. Take care all the best to all of you and to all the SCARS animals in 2009.

Cailin and Andrew


May 8, 2008


Just wanted to say hi from Flora and us. It's so hard to believe it's already been one year since she joined our family- seems like we've had her forever. She is doing great. She continues to be the most loving, affectionate dog in the world. She follows Basil around like a shadow with a huge smile on her face and they are inseparable as ever. Currently, they are just lounging out in the yard eating some carrots (her favourite treat!) after a good wrestle together. One of her favourite thing to do is still to chase rabbits in the field. She has a one track mind when it comes to this and she can cover some serious ground chasing them. We are working on having her respond to a whistle because I'm always paranoid she will chase the rabbits too far. She loves to swim and we're going to get a kiddie pool for the pups in the backyard when it gets warm enough. I'm sending you some photos of Flora at Christmas in Jasper and around the house. Hope you are doing very well!

Take care,

Flora, Basil, Cailin and Andrew