Dozens of former sled dogs that survived one of the highest-profile cases of animal cruelty in B.C. are still waiting to find homes, according to a Whistler shelter.
The Whistler Animals Galore Society has been looking for homes for sled dogs that once belonged to Outdoor Adventures.
The company made headlines when a former manager admitted in a worker’s compensation claim that he slaughtered at least 70 of the animals in “execution-style killings” after the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Robert Fawcett said it was uneconomical to keep the dogs after business slowed down considerably after the Games. He pleaded guilty to one count of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to animals and was given three years’ probation, a $1,500 fine and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.
More than 100 of the dogs have been adopted into new homes in the past year-and-a-half, but the WAG Society told CTV News Friday that there are still 45 of the animals in their Whistler kennel.
“Some of them are going to need a little bit more socialization and rehabilitation than others, but I would say the majority of these guys are adoptable, ready to go,” said WAG Executive Director Shannon Broderick.
Interest in the dogs peaked when the story first broke in 2010, but has since slowed, according to Broderick.
Though many need to be housebroken and trained from the ground up, she said adopting one of the dogs would be similar to taking in a new puppy.
“These guys require the same if not maybe a little bit less than that…they’re just companions, they just want to be with us,” she said. “Adopters definitely need to be aware that there’s going to be a level of fear in certain situations and it’s going to be anything from a cell phone to a Mach truck…just like a puppy.”
Rachel Evans heard about the dogs’ plight and decided to adopt 7-year-old Keeva – who, to Evans’ surprise, had a great temperament from day one.
“She’s so good, she just lets people stroke her and she’s just a very very patient dog…she’s a joy, an absolute joy,” Evans said.
Now, the Whistler woman is urging those thinking about adopting a dog to follow her lead and take on one of the animals.
“It’ll be the best thing you ever do. The relationship that you’ll have with them is quite special,” she said. “Knowing the story and then seeing how they adapt and seeing how they just respond so well to a new environment, and the love that you can give – it’s something very special.”
Broderick said WAG hopes to find homes for the remaining retired sled dogs by the end of September – but their Whistler kennel will stay open as long as there are animals there.
For information on how to adopt one of the former sled dogs, visit the WAG society website or email them at retiredsleddoginfo@whistlerwag.com.
With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Maria Weisgarber
