Stray puppies in Saskatchewan rescued and flown to Alberta

Six stray puppies in Saskatchewan have found themselves in a much safer position in Alberta thanks to the Canadian Wings of Rescue (CWOR).

The organization works with Canadian animal rescue groups, shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centers to address shelter overcrowding by ensuring that long distances are never a barrier to adoptions and foster homes.

A volunteer CWOR pilot flew six young mixed-breed puppies from La Ronge, Saskatchewan to Springbank in July for critical veterinary care that wasn’t in their rural home community.

Cheryl Brean, communications director with the CWOR, says this was a big trip for the organization, and says the pups handled the 45-minute trip well.

“It is not common that we have up to six dogs all together, but they were quite comfortable with each other. And the pilot, who had volunteered had graciously had enough room in … his plane storage. So it was a nice fit,” she said.

“Most dogs, including these pups, do sleep for most of the flight. They find the air travel to be quite relaxing, so we often get photos of the dogs snoozing where we can so, yeah. So it very was smooth flight.”

The pups appear to be husky mixes and received their veterinary work in Springbank immediately upon arrival. They were sent to foster homes in the area.

Brean says she hopes the puppies’ story will generate awareness of the important work her organization does for rural communities.

“That’s one of the reasons why Canadian Wings of Rescue exists, is to help areas that are more remote,” she said.

“So, help them access … veterinary services, and then also access broader area of adoption homes to be able to bring animals to locations that they may have a greater chance of being adopted.”

The pups were named Lola, Lexi, Tilly, Milly, Ryda and Poplar.

Ryda has been adopted and Milly is still recovering, but the rest are ready to find their forever home through the Heart Mountain Rescue in Exshaw.