The
Government of Alberta is providing top-up funding for campaigns with
significant community support demonstrated on Crowdfunding Alberta.
Campaigns that reach 75 percent of their campaign goal within four
weeks of launching may be eligible for up to $2,500. Click ‘Top-up
Funding Eligibility’ in the main menu for details.
Bear Valley Rescue Society, founded in 2003 and located in Sundre, Alberta, takes in unwanted, abused, aged or distressed horses and, occasionally, other farm animals. We currently have over 160 horses in our care and have helped over 1600 through our work over the last twenty years. We educate the public on the plight of unwanted, abused and aged animals and network with other animal rescue organizations to provide homes for animals in distress. Bear Valley Rescue is honoured to have been the first equine sanctuary in Canada to be verified by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. We are governed by a board of directors and have an international intern program for volunteers.
Horses have played a huge part in history. Though not used as much now for work, horses are still companion animals and partners for many people. Sadly though, horses are considered livestock and there is no safety net to ensure they will not be slaughtered for their meat, even after years of care and companionship. We are there to provide an alternative to slaughter when people are faced with life-changing situations such as job loss, divorce, or deteriorating health, where they can no longer care for their animals; and for horses that have no one in their corner advocating on their behalf.
Often horses come into our care in poor shape from neglect or unaddressed medical issues. Providing proper care and medication and, when the time comes, a humane end of life for the horses is a large cost to Bear Valley Rescue every month.
We have 88 horses over the age of 20 and 13 of those are over
the age of 30! As with us all, aging brings its own challenges and
many older horses need specialized care. Bear Valley has six horses
and three ponies with PPID (Cushings) and about 40 horses with
arthritis or joint issues that all require daily medication.
Regular dental care and health monitoring are also very important.
Your donations mean we can ensure that all our horses are receiving
the best care we can provide and living their best lives! We can't
do this without your support, so please help us help the horses that
have nowhere else to turn.
