So, first things first: What is Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue?

Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Inc is a 100% volunteer run, foster home based, charitable rescue. We take in dogs and some cats from all over Manitoba.

What do you think folks should consider before adopting a dog?

They should always consider the commitment it takes to bring a dog into their family. Not only with time, dogs can live to over 15 years and cats to over 20, and they need training, but also financially. The cost of food and toys is one thing, but you have to think of their yearly trips to the vet for vaccinations and preventative medication (heartworm, ticks, canine cough etc.) and also any emergency vet trips for accidents or unforseen illnesses, as well as boarding for when you want to go away.

What events do you tend to get most excited about?

We love our in-person events where we can bring adoptables and meet our supporters face to face. Covid really put a damper on that and we're looking forward to getting back into it!

Are there any themes or lessons the pandemic has taught Manitoba Mutts?

We had to get creative with our fundraising since our biggest fundraisers of the year are in person. We also had to be on the ball anytime an adoptable was posted as we were caught in the adoption frenzy that the pandemic created where we would receive 20 applications in minutes of an adoptable being posted. We also had to prepare ourselves to be able to take back an animal as not all owners would be able to/realize how important it is to socialize their puppy and it could cause behavioural issues down the road.

Can you tell me about the Super Trooper Program?

The Super Trooper program highlights our extra care cases. Ones that require extra veterinary care/costs and a lengthier stay in rescue. Cases such as animals hit by vehicles, attacked by other animals, diseases such as parvo or mange, or birth defects. They cost us a bit more than the average intake, so we highlight them to increase donations.

Why is it called Manitoba Mutt rescue and not something more related to dogs in general?

When MMDR first started in 2011, both of the directors were volunteering for a breed specific rescue and they saw the need for a more general rescue that would accept all breeds- which is how Mutts was born! Our slogan is, because every breed deserves a chance.

If you don't mind sharing, what brought you to this work?

I moved from AB to MB in 2019 and work from home so I was looking for a way to get out of the house and meet people so I started volunteering with a few dog rescues. I ended up sticking with Mutts as they were so welcoming and the work was very rewarding.

What do people tend to be surprised about in the adoption process?

They are often surprised at how many questions we ask in the adoption application and that we ask for references and we actually call them. If they get a bad reference, we will not let them adopt. Some people don't believe that we should be so "picky" and just give them a dog as if they are doing us a favour, but they don't realize that these animals are our responsibility and we saved them from a potentially terrible fate, so they deserve to have the best chance in their forever home and that's why we ask a lot of questions and are selective.

How does the 100% foster based system work? Why go this route?

All of our animals are in foster homes throughout their stay with Mutts. Some are in boarding facilities if they need a bit of training or if we don't have a foster home available. To become a foster home we have an application that is similar to the adoption application. Once approved, our intake team will ask if they can take an animal we have been asked to rescue, and once a home is secure, we then work on transporting that animal into care.

It costs money to rent a space and upkeep it, as well as staffing it on a volunteer basis (none of our volunteers are paid, not even the directors) so it makes the most financial sense to not have a brick and mortar facility as we can use those funds to help more animals.

I imagine there are heartbreaking days along with joyful ones in this type of work, how do you or the team cope? What does community care at Manitoba Mutts look like?

Yes, rescue is very hard on the heart. We have a really great team who can rely on each other for support, as well as we hold a volunteer appreciation day every year. We have a facebook group for our team and our volunteers to share and chat and get support from. We also have an Alumni page for the same purpose- it gives our alumni a way to connect, and we've even had some reunions where littermates meet up for the first time since being adopted and it's lovely!

How can folks help out?

There are lots of ways to help out, by becoming a general volunteer (transport, events, supply pick-up etc), a team member (where they have a specific role to perform such as finance or event coordination etc.), become a foster, adopt, monetary donations, and sharing our social media post to get our name out there is very helpful as well.

Find out more about Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue Inc at ManitobaMutts.org , Facebook or Instagram