LAPS’ flood response is not limited to the initial crisis. We are wanting to ensure that we are supporting victims even after the public’s attention drifts to another news item, as the people impacted in flood areas continue to find their “new normal”. Our five-fold response is outlined below so you know how your support of LAPS is helping people and their pets!
Free Emergency Boarding
We are continuing to support animals that have been displaced. This service is not only for those animals directly impacted by flooding but also for stray and abandoned animals found on the Abbotsford side of the flooding and blocked roads. As the closest shelter not touched by this horrible event, we have become a safe-haven to many animals who are unable to access their usual resources. Many of these animals have already been reunited with their worried owners. We will continue to work with our neighbouring shelters to ensure all animals in the Fraser Valley are safe.
Pet Food and Supplies
Our call to the public was heard. We have received so many donations of food, litter, bedding, toys, and other pet necessities that we had a company donate a shipping container for storage. LAPS staff proactively made connections with organizations and volunteer run groups that were distributing to vulnerable owners in communities from Abbotsford to Merritt. Hundreds of pounds of food and supplies have been provided to groups like Hope Tourism, Archway Abbotsford Food Bank, Turbo Lyft in Pitt Meadows, West Coast Pilot Club in Langley, KirpaCollective, Ikansar Foundation and other community driven collaborations. We have been able to be part of a movement of people coming together to selflessly care for others in their time of need and have found it inspiriting and humbling. Our support in this area will continue for months to come.
Access to Veterinary Care
Thanks to donations to Major’s Legacy Fund, and Gift Matching by Barb and Phil Jackman, our fundraising efforts have reached well over $30,000 for animals left vulnerabe flooding. Major’s Legacy Fund has been an established fund that we use to help low income families receive the veterinary care they need. This in turn helps keep families whole and pets in the homes of those who love them. With this same spirit we will be using the generosity of the public to help keep families together and support animal welfare in the Fraser Valley. We recognize that owners will feel the financial impacts of the flooding for a long time as they put their lives back together. We will be there for them during that process to ensure that animals are not left to suffer due to lack of access to veterinary care.
Emergency Cat Trapping
The need to evacuate homes quickly has obviously impacted animal lives significantly. Pets have been displaced and there has been significant loss of animal’s lives. It makes each animal who survived an extra special gift, and we want to ensure LAPS is providing help to reunite surviving cats with their owners. Should we be needed, our team of volunteers are going to be able to help set traps, monitor them and reunite cats with their families. We anticipate that our other programs like Emergency Boarding or Major’s Legacy veterinary support may also be required with these vulnerable cats. Apply for emergency cat trapping services HERE.
Emergency Preparedness and Free Microchip Clinic
Looking toward the future, LAPS wants to ensure we are doing what we can to help families prevent such substantial loss. In early 2022, our team is planning to join with community Veterinarians to provide free microchips to flood victims and low-income families in the Langley’s. Coupled with this proactive work we are also going to ensure education on Emergency Pet Preparedness is provided.
The LAPS flood response would not be possible without people like you supporting our initiatives. As part of our LAPS community, we thank you for partnering with us to make sure all animals thrive with emotional, physical and psychological safety.
