Puppies abandoned at Brazeau Dam camping area

By Amanda Jeffery, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Drayton Valley and District Free Press

A litter of puppies that was abandoned at the Brazeau Dam camping area died while volunteers attempted to save them.

Crystal Gray, the founder of For All Animal Rescue Society, received a report from a gentleman named Kenny Porter, who had stopped at the campground on his road trip and spotted them in the campground on September 26. Eight puppies had been left without their mother.

Gray says she and her daughter, Brooke, responded quickly and got the puppies from Porter, bringing them to a local pet store right away. Gray knew what would be involved in helping the pups because they still had their umbilical cords attached. She took to social media to ask for help with donations and foster parents who could bottle-feed the puppies.

“From [the store], they were brought to our foster Sarah, who cared for them until the rest of us finished work. Later, we brought them to my daughter Kelsey, where she, Brooke, and my grandchildren all took turns cleaning, feeding and snuggling until their foster Berit Wagner arrived,” says Gray in an email interview.

On September 27, Gray and Brooke returned to the area with a recording of the puppies. She says they walked around the area playing the recording, hoping to find a mother, but they had no luck. 

The puppies were improving, but they were passing sand and grass. They also had sores on their mouths from rooting around in the dirt searching for a food source. The volunteers kept a vigilant eye on them, watching for any turn in their health.

The puppies seemed to be doing better by the 28th. They were receiving 24 hour care from volunteers, and there was hope the puppies were past the worst of it.

On the 29th, their health took a turn for the worse. They were rushed into an animal clinic in Rocky Mountain House, but despite the best efforts of the vet, all the puppies had passed away.

Gray says the cause of their death is unknown. One theory is that it could be Fading Puppy Syndrome, which is caused by a lack of colostrum, the first milk that a mother gives. When puppies are born, they need to be fed colostrum within an hour, preferably sooner. She says they had no idea when the puppies had been left there, but they did feed them a colostrum supplement as soon as they could.

The other theory is that they died of an infection. Without the important antibodies from the colostrum, the puppies would have been more susceptible to illnesses.

Gray says it’s not uncommon for shelters to get calls about abandoned animals.

“We’ve also taken in multiple cases of dumped litters and even pregnant cats abandoned,” she says.

She stressed the importance of spaying and neutering pets to prevent the need for abandoning the animals. There are also shelters within the community that will take in unwanted pets.

Throughout the four days, there were a number of volunteers who stepped up to either donate supplies or take care of the pups. Gray says she’s grateful to everyone involved. 

Responding to emergencies like this can be costly, says Gray. They do get some deals, but they still have to pay for vet services and medications.

“But the true cost goes beyond money. It took our time, passion, and countless hours of hands-on care. There were also practical costs like fuel for driving to the site where they were found, transporting them to and from their foster, and making the trip to the vet,” says Gray. “At the heart of it though, it was a labour of love.”

Gray says they are always looking for more volunteers and fosters for their organization. Donations of supplies and funds also help to keep the rescue sustainable.

“We’re always in need of foster homes, and we have a foster group chat on Facebook Messenger where volunteers are the first to know when animals need help. Right now, our Annual Online Silent Auction is coming up. It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year, and every dollar goes straight back to the animals.”

Those looking to donate can drop off donations for FAARS at Indigo Petz and Petlife, reach out to Gray or send e-transfers to faarsrescue@gmail.com.