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For The Love Of Animals

Pipestone Flyer

    A very special evening designed to help all of our four footed friends in Leduc and County is fast approaching! CLASS, the County of Leduc Animal Shelter Society, is proud to present their first annual "A Home For Christmas" Gala.  

    Being held at the Nisku Inn on Friday November 29th, it is expected to be an evening of fun and surprises with all of the proceeds going to help local animals.

    Only recently founded in November of 2012, the Non-Profit group has already held several smaller fundraisers but realized they needed to up the ante and raise awareness for their cause. 

    "The vision we are working towards is to become the Humane Society for all of Leduc County," said founder and President Lyn Cardus from For Paws Grooming and the Alberta School of Dog Grooming. "There is a huge need for a Humane Society in this area as we do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Edmonton Humane Society even though most people in this area use it as their go-to place for animals."

    There have been long term issues within Leduc and County with residents unsure of where to take a stray animal when they find them or where to look for a fuzzy family member when they have been lost. Traditionally over the years each municipality has contracted with different kennels of their choice to handle their lost/stray/abused/injured animal cases and frustrated owners have been left out in the cold not knowing where to go to try and find their pets, and not receiving communication back from the kennels when they have been contacted.

    “This has been a long term problem happening here and we need to create a solution NOW." stated Lyn. So we formed CLASS to focus on this issue as well as becoming a resource for owners and other organizations that deal with animals. We definitely support the privately run local area rescues that are already operating and commend them for the good work they do, but we also recognize that Leduc and County needs a larger umbrella organization that does not focus on one type or breed of animal but is watching out for, and assisting in, the care of all of them. Sadly, just from word of mouth travelling about CLASS I have already received some phone calls asking for help from people who have found lost animals but didn't know what to do with them, asking if they could bring them to me. Not yet having the facilities to accept strays we were not able to take them in so I referred them to different organizations that I am aware of but ultimately I have no idea of the outcome on these situations. It's heartbreaking really." 

    The "big audacious" goal that CLASS is now focusing on is to obtain a building so they can begin taking in animals in need as well as having a base for their educational programs. This is the goal that they are hoping the Gala will help achieve.

    We are so excited about this Gala I can't even tell you!" raved Lyn. “The Nisku Inn has been absolutely fabulous to work with and they are putting on a fabulous dinner buffet for us in a ballroom that will be beautifully decorated, and there will be some incredible silent auction items available as well as the, “Through The Woof” comedy tour performing! There are also a couple of surprises we have in store for everyone that will take place over the course of the evening that I cannot divulge at this time." she teases with a mischievous smile.

    “Being our very first Gala we have also kept the ticket prices very affordable at only $45.00 each." shared Lyn. "Even though there are only 120 tickets available we wanted to make sure that anyone who wants to support this important organization is able to do so by keeping our costs down and encouraging everyone to come out and have a great time while helping out the animals." 

    Sponsorship and auction items are still being gratefully accepted and can be donated through For Paws which is located at 5009-50 Ave. in Leduc or by calling Lyn at 780-980-5327. Tickets can also be purchased in this manner.

    Lyn stated, "We have already received a lot of support from everyone who has heard about us but now we need to really get our name out there and reach a wider audience so CLASS can fill a void in this community and make Leduc's Humane Society a reality."