Organization Information
Exciting News - we're changing our name to OKANAGAN SMALL DOG RESCUE. For the next year we will convert the name but it will take time to get our new name out to the public so we will run between the two names.
Have you read about Tiger/Tig?
PETSMART has opened their doors and their hearts in Kelowna and we are very excited as they have asked us to partner with them. CAN IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT??!!! We will be able to show the public our available dogs and get the information out on who we are and why we do what we do. This will allow us to find homes for the many dogs that come into rescue. Come to PetSmart and see us on Saturdays and *btw*... we are looking for volunteers. CAN YOU SPARE THREE HOURS FROM TIME TO TIME TO REPRESENT US AND TALK ABOUT OUR PUPPIES NEEDING NEW HOMES? We have lots of fun talking to people and hearing their stories as well.
PLEASE READ ABOUT TIGER/TIG
JUNE 14, 2009 - PLEASE READ ABOUT HONEY!! Honey, (previously called Lahsa) is a very sad story. We hear on the news of puppy mills and how badly dogs are treated but here is one in our own back yard.
Honey gave birth to 4 puppies but on the 5th day she and puppies went to the Vet, I assume as she was not able to feed her puppies. She was left at the Vet as very ill, emergency surgury found a bladder stone the size of an egg in this little 6lb Shih Tzu, the stone was removed and it was necessary to spay her as well as to try and save her life. She was signed over to the Vet Hospital and that is where we came in. It was necessary to us to know the history of her surgery in order to care for her. It was also touch and go for several days whether she would survive. The poor little girl must be missing her puppies as that is probably all she has known for her 7 years of life,, by the looks of her tiny body she has been bred continually, all she knows is to be a mom. I saw the puppies at 5 days old but how well developed will they be not having a mother to nurture them? When you read about puppies you see that they should stay with their mother for 8 - 10 weeks.
If you are looking TO BUY A SHIH TZU PUPPY and it was born at the end of May 09 ask to see the parents, these puppies will probably be sold for big $$$$ but will not be the same as raised by their mom. So you see the picture, sell the puppies. make money but do not look after the care of what made them the money - Lahsa/Honey. We will find the perfect home for Honey and we will pay the Vet bill that the owners would not pay. If you can help with Honeys Vet costs please send to our Mailing address or email for more information.
Honey has now gained 1 1/2 lbs, she still has to be fed through a feeding tube into her stomach but is starting to nipple on food, she is on 3 antibiotics, and the corneal ulcer in her eye is healing nicely. If you know where her puppies are please ask them to give at least one to Honey to snuggle to help her heal, she is not able to feed but she also needs the nurturing for her own health.
Do you know someone that is lonely? Why not talk to them about fostering? We always have dogs in need of a loving foster until they pick their forever home. Please email us for more information.
I would like to take this time to say a huge Thank You to our Volunteers and to our Directors. Our volunteeers put in a tremendous amount of hours to save as many dogs as possible and to match them with you for happy homes. Thank You!
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Tiger really needs a home, please ask your neighbours and friends
We had the wonderful experience of seeing all our recent rescue dogs pick their people. We love to see it! It is truly amazing how the dog seems to know who their people are before even the people do. Many thanks to Wendy for looking after all these home seekers!
We have a new little boy, Rio. He is a seven month old Bichon. He was surrendered because his owner could not give him the time that he needed. We also have Tig, our eleven year old Lhasa looking for his home. He is a sweetheart and loves to cuddle but really wants to be an only dog. Do you have room in your home for one of these fellas?
STOP PUPPY MILLS - THEY OFTEN SELL THEIR DOGS IN PET STORES.
This year has been very busy with many dogs turned in. Thank you to all who have applied to adopt and to those who have adopted.
OCSSRS is "All Breed Rescue" for the Okanagan, as designated by the BC SPCA
We are an enthusiastic bunch of volunteers with a passion for animals. 
Our combined experience covers care of many different breeds of dogs, but primarily Shih Tzu's and Cocker Spaniels. We started out to rescue these 2 breeds exclusively, but saw the need for rescue of other smaller breeds as well. We do not turn away a dog in need!
Where ever possible we educate the public on:
- Responsibilities of a pet for a possible 15 years.
- Reading up on what breed is suitable for a family.
- Being sensible when adopting a dog - you must be "age-appropriate" when considering the life span of a dog.
- Understanding that Vet Care and miscellaneous costs are essential to consider when adopting.
- Neutering & spaying pets, health care, ear care, nail care.
- Treating the pet as a member of the family.
- Locking a pet in the basement, or outside, or in a cage is not an option!
WHAT WE DO AS A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION
More than anything, we find ourselves caring for the health and welfare of discarded family pets. We ensure that, for the rest of their lives, these little souls with huge hearts never know pain again, or brutality again, or misguided "training methods" again.
A dog is assessed and received into rescue after a "Surrender Release" has been signed. The dog is taken to the Vet for a health check with follow up care appropriate to that pet.
Both mental and physical health are taken into consideration. Many of these poor little ones are abused psychologically. Some just miss their previous owner no matter what the situation was and some cannot be touched, or talked to. Many fear food, floors, carpets, and children. They react in a manner which we may find inappropriate, but which they hope will protect them. They'll growl, bite, cringe. They'll urinate or defecate. It all depends on their particular "triggers" according to their background.
Based on the history of the dog, applications are accepted appropriate to that dog.
We have several dogs which will never be adopted.
They live out their days with us.
They require extensive - and expensive! - medical care.
Several are end-stage now.
Their days are quiet and they sleep a lot.
They still have happy "tails" and will have the right to die with dignity
when the time comes.
Any donations towards their health care are most gratefully accepted! 
CARE OF RESCUE DOGS IN OUR HOMES
This often consists of one or many of the following:
- some just need a place to stay surrounded by love and security until we find a new home. Usually the situation of their past owner has changed, and the dog is healthy and happy.
- house training an adult dog
- obedience training
These are the easy cases!
Some of our rescues break our hearts, not because of their behaviour, but because of what has been done to them to cause them to act out in this way. Our rescues have destroyed what ever is in sight, chewed electrical cords, cable cords, shoes, books, furniture, other dogs' poop They eat whatever they can reach, pee on our beds, have seizures in the middle of the night. We lay on the floor holding them until they are okay, sleep with them after surgery to repair a broken leg, nurse them 24/7 after ear surgery. We often have to get up in the middle of the night and just hold them while they have a bad dream of their past. Some of them whimper and shake at the slightest noise or touch.
Why do we do what we do? Our mandate as foster parents is to give these little ones a place to rehabilitate, to feel nothing but security and love and acceptance, and then to find appropriate "forever homes".
Because we get so attached to our rescues, we strive to adopt out only in the Okanagan. These are our babies. It is important to us that we meet face to face with their new guardians and let the pups pick out their new home. One can understand how difficult it is to let these little guys go (even though we know they are going to their "perfect home") only after you have actually fostered. Many tears are shed.
We have now rehomed over 150 dogs, and the foster person has a part of his/her heart with each and every one of those dogs.
GIFTS & FUNDRAISERS
We have a 
program by which someone may foster a dog for $25 a month. The foster person will receive a photo and a write up on the dog as well as a charitable tax receipt - you may do this via post dated cheques or all on one cheque. If this does not fit within your budget, donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt upon request.
Please also consider donating to our charity in your Estate Planning.
Donations "IN MEMORY OF" are gratefully accepted, and of course we issue a tax receipt and a card of thanks to the family.
Here's something new we've started to raise funds- if you live in the Lake Country area, and you take your recycled bottles back to the Winfield Return-It Centre, you can ask to have part or all of your refund money put into the OCSSRS account! How easy is that? Remember, every dollar or two means so much to us, as it all accumulates over time.
WE SELL MEMBERSHIPS
- $15 for those who want a quarterly newsletter via email
- $15 for those who want it via regular mail.
- We have a Small Business Membership at $35
- a Corporate Membership of $100.
- There is a Lifetime Membership at $100.
Each membership entitles the holder to one vote at the AGM.
Memberships show us that you care about the work we are doing.
Cheques are payable to the address on the website.
We thank you in advance for your support.
Please refer any inquiries to the following numbers or email.
OKANAGAN SMALL DOG RESCUE SOCIETY
Box 23084 RPO Plaza 33
Kelowna, BC
Canada V1X 7K7
Phone or e-mail (ocssrs@yahoo.ca)
- Wendy - President
- 250-717-3655 June- 1st Vice President * Volunteer Coordinator
- 250-765-3996 Kathi- 2nd Vice President * Fundraising/Membership
