POWASSAN –All Hearts Pet Rescue is closing its doors on Nov. 10, albeit temporarily.
After 16 years of caring for animals Kathy Jeanneault, the shelters founder, is taking some time for herself.
Jeanneault, who suffered injuries in a car accident, is slated for back surgery and is emptying her kennels until she has fully recovered. She anticipates that she will be back full swing at the beginning of February.
“I’m going to take three months off, have the surgery, get healthy and get right back at it,” she said. “It was a very hard decision for me to come to because I help, on average, 300 dogs a year.”
She says that she is having disks inserted in her back because it is bone-on-bone and she cannot tolerate the pain any longer.
She says the announcement was made that she was closing when she found a surprise at her gate. She has already stopped taking dogs and is looking to empty out the remainder of her kennels.
“Last week the news was finally out that I am closing and the very next day in the pouring rain I’ve got a dog tied at the end of my gate,” she said. “The hardest part I have right now is a little old lady called me. She’s moving into a nursing home.”
The woman cried hoping that the pet rescue, to which she has previously donated, would be able to help her find a home for her little dog.
“It broke my heart. So I’m working high and low,” she said. “I’m going to find a home for her little dog even though I can’t take it.”
Despite closing Jeanneault is well on the way to finding this dog a home. A couple that have adopted from her previously will be visiting shortly for a second visit. The fate of this dog looks positive.
She says that, with the assistance of her 12 volunteers, they will try to help during her recovery. However she will not be taking any of these animals in.
“I’m going to be flat on my back but I’m not going to be dead,” she said. “We’re going to help people any which way we can to re-home the dogs that are urgent through the Internet, through word of mouth.”
She has four other dogs still looking for homes although she is confident that she will have the dogs either adopted out or fostered during her absence.
Raz has been at the shelter for a year. When the samoyed/shepherd cross came to All Hearts he was un-neutered and aggressive. He came from the North Bay Humane Society and was slated to be put down.
“You would never in a million years know that he had those issues when he came in. He’s the perfect dog now,” she said. “He’s a beautiful, sweet boy. He doesn’t like cats but he loves everyone and everything else.”
DP, a recently neutered eight-pound Jack Russell Terrier, ended up at the shelter six months ago after going after the family cat.
“He’s the sweetest thing in the world,” she said.
Maizy, a Rottweiler, was sent to All Hearts from Hamilton where she was on death row.
“Very, very sweet girl. Very sensitive girl but cat’s are for eating,” said Jeanneault.
Jeanneault is excited with the prospects of Slugger, a yellow Labrador retriever.
“He’s going to be a working service dog,” she said. “I’ve got five dogs that have gone on to be OPP or MNR dogs over the years.”
She says Slugger is going to go to Hawkesbury to become a police dog once the screening is complete.
“I have to meet the guy first. I don’t care what you do for a living, I want to make sure he fits the bill,” said Jeanneault.