Food, care, but most of all love - those were some of the needs of the animals Teresa Wolansky found at a Vilna farm.
Over 100 goats, 50 dogs, 20 horses, a llama, and a potbelly pig are being re-homed after Wolansky was asked to help a family friend earlier this month.
Over 20 horses were found on the property and are still in need of a home.
“They found themselves in a situation where they weren’t going to be at the farm, and there were some animals there that would have to be cared for. We didn’t really know at that point how many animals. When we showed up with some dog food, there were dogs just everywhere, puppies, goats, horses, a potbelly pig, a llama, everything was everywhere. They were going to need help, and they weren’t really sure for how long," described the Cold Lake resident.
As soon as she saw the condition some of these animals were in, Wolansky knew she had to do something.
"I understand people have predicaments they can get themselves into, but you see these puppies and dogs that just needed so much attention. They needed food, human contact, they needed someone to care for them and they weren’t going to have anyone and we didn’t know for how long," Wolansky exclaimed. “We had to step in, because they didn’t have anybody else."
It was a cause that caught the attention of Cold Lake resident Jane Hawman, who had come across a notice Wolansky posted on social media.
According to Hawman, she had put a call out for dog food donations.
"I arranged to meet her, and I found out she was one woman trying to manage all of this on her own,” detailed Hawman. “She had just found out about it, and she was driving every second or third day to Vilna from Cold Lake, to go and see these animals."
She continued, “I told her, ‘you can’t do this on your own,’ and I decided right there that I would help her. I set up a donation page on Facebook."
The Vilna Pet Rescue Effort is accepting financial donations as well as dog and puppy food, blankets, dog beds, and towels.
The funds are used to cover some of the vet bill costs.
Some of the dogs were covered in bites as others tried to determine dominance and fight for food.
“The majority of (the dogs), you could tell they had either lice or fleas; there were some that were skinny, they needed food. There were only a few that were very thin. I would say mostly, they were all infested with lice and fleas, and they were scared,” described Wolansky. “There were some that wouldn't come to us, and they never did... The ones that we could get to, you could tell once you did start petting them they were lapping up all of that attention that you could tell they weren’t getting."
Wolansky said while they've managed to find a home or safe place for most of the animals, there are still roughly a dozen dogs, three goats, 20 horses, and a potbelly pig that need somewhere to go.
“Some of the horses definitely need medical attention, all of the dogs that are left… they all need medical attention. They need to get dewormed and they’re all full of lice, so they need medication for that," she added.
Wolansky explained how because the animals are "technically being fed, which we're doing," the Alberta SPCA won't take them away from the owner.
Dan Kobe, communications officer for the provincial organization, confirmed they're looking into the issue.
A llama was found wandering the property.
"I can confirm the Alberta SPCA did open a file earlier this month about a property in northeastern Alberta with numerous dogs, as well as livestock. Our peace officer was asked by the RCMP to attend the property to check on the welfare of the animals that were there. The Alberta SPCA has not removed any animals from the property and no charges have been laid. As the file remains under investigation, no further details can be released," he said in an email.
Smoky Lake RCMP told the Nouvelle they were involved at one point, however, the file has been handed over to the SPCA.
Once the community caught wind of Wolansky and Hawman's initiative, they didn't hesitate to lend a hand.
“For me, because I’ve been a part of it from the very beginning, I don’t like asking for help. When it finally got out there that we have all of these animals that need help, the amount of phone calls and messages was absolutely amazing. I never saw that coming," Wolansky expressed. “The community has absolutely gone above and beyond and stepped up. It wasn’t just around the Lakeland. It was people all across Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, it spread absolutely everywhere."
While businesses such as Pet Valu are accepting any and all dog food donations, the Centre Animal Hospital was doing what they could by offering their services at a discounted rate for those taking in the animals found at the Vilna property.
“I can’t praise them enough,” Hawman emphasized.
The dogs weren't just in need of updated shots or spaying and neutering. In some cases, they were covered in bites "because they’re trying to establish dominance and fight for food."
Hawman expanded, “When you have over 50 dogs in one environment, they’re going to fight for their food and to establish a pecking order, and unfortunately, the young dogs are the ones that paid the biggest price. The puppies are just skin and bones.”
Wolansky continues to work with the property owner to gather up the animals that remain at the property, making the three-hour round trip every one or two days. Some of the dogs, however, are showing signs of aggression.
“We’re having to call in a bigger rescue organization that’s better equipped to deal with that situation, because we’re just two people trying to help,” explained Hawman.
There were upwards of 100 goats that have been re-homed.
Families with missing pets have reached out to Hawman and Wolansky in hopes that their animal was found on the property.
“I have gotten a lot of calls from people who are worried that maybe their dogs are on that property because they’ve been stolen. There’s a lot of that going on, but we haven’t found any stolen dogs yet,” Hawman said. “We’re checking for microchips and so forth if we can. Anyone who calls, we’re making sure that they have full access to the pictures we have."
Some animals have been given a fresh start in new homes. Others have been taken to the local animal shelter in hopes of giving them a second chance.
Wolansky stressed any of the animals they re-home themselves are being sent to families where they will be well taken care of.
“These dogs already came from (a poor environment) and they don’t need to go back to that."
She is using this experience as an opportunity to remind people to spay and neuter their pets.
"That’s one of the big things I would like to come out of this, just to reiterate the importance of getting your animals spayed and neutered."
When it comes to the support they've received, both Wolansky and Hawman are overwhelmed.
Hawman said, “It has changed my entire perspective and has renewed my faith in our community."
For more information, or to donate, visit Vilna Pet Rescue Effort on social media.
