A local dog rescue is celebrating a successful fundraiser held during a Calgary Hitmen game.
BARC’s Rescue partnered with the Hitmen for a fundraising event last Friday that brought in funds to support rescue dogs.
Carrie Fryer, team lead for the organization’s foster and adoption teams and a board member, said volunteers spent the evening selling promotional pucks while interacting with fans.
“It was amazing. So we got there, set up, and had some puppies with us, which always draws a big crowd. Our table was swamped the whole night selling pucks.”
She said volunteers were busy throughout the event as fans stopped by to see the dogs and learn more about the organization.
“It was just an amazing event. Everyone was excited to see the puppies and to support BARC’s and the Hitmen,” Fryer said.
BARC’s Rescue is a non-profit dog rescue with a facility in Calgary. The organization previously operated in Airdrie but relocated after outgrowing its space.
Despite the move, the rescue continues to support the Airdrie community, working closely with local animal services to take in dogs that need foster care or adoption placements.
Fryer said the group continues to rely heavily on volunteers and foster homes in Airdrie.
“We still have tons of fosters and volunteers in Airdrie, and they’re amazing,” she said.
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The rescue works with dogs from across Canada and beyond, although the Calgary facility focuses primarily on helping animals locally.
“We rescue dogs from all over Canada and North America and the world,” Fryer said. “We’ve had dogs come from as far as Egypt and Ukraine. We’ve got dogs from Mexico, but our focus for our shelter in Calgary is local dogs.”
While final numbers have not yet been confirmed, Fryer said the fundraiser is believed to have raised somewhere between $1,700 and $2,000.
“We don’t have a total number yet, but it was somewhere in that vicinity, which was awesome,” she said.
The funds will primarily go toward caring for the rescue’s dogs, including veterinary bills, training and food.
“The focus is paying the vet bills, paying for trainers and getting food.”
She said the organization may also use some of the money toward renovations at its facility.
Fryer added that the event was also a chance to connect with members of the community, including people who have previously adopted or fostered dogs through the rescue.
“It just shows that the community is supportive of us, and we love that.”
Fryer said the organization would be happy to take part in the event again next year.
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