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The Trinity and our Hopes
Who We AreTrinity of Hope Dog Rescue is our rescue entity operating under our not-for-profit federal corporation, Trinity of Hope Inc. Registered Charity. Our head office is located in Ottawa, Ontario. We have rescue representatives in Manitoba and Alberta. If you live in a province where we do not have a rescue representative and would like to volunteer, please email info-Trinity of HopeTrinity of Hope Dog Rescue is a small group of like-minded dog people who understand that we cannot save them all. Our goal is to help one dog at a time. We launched our efforts in March 1998 when we were able to help Hope, an exceptional, young Rottweiler. It is in honour of Hope's story that we named the rescue group, Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue. In the beginning, there were just three of us. Our goal was and still is to rehabilitate dogs with sound temperament that haven't received training or proper socialization so that they can go from unwanted dogs to wanted companions. What We DoTrinity of Hope Dog Rescue is dedicated to act as a shepherd for unwanted, abandoned, neglected or abused Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) and crosses thereof, that (i) pass a standardized temperament evaluation that indicates the canine meets THDR’s criteria for sound temperament and adoptablity, and (ii) are in need of THDR’s assistance.The canines assisted by THDR may be suffering from cruelty, abuse, neglect or abandonment. THDR’s priority is to assist those canines in need of assistance by humane societies, animal shelters, animal welfare societies, other animal welfare organizations, or veterinary clinics. We only accept owner-surrenders that are accompanied by a surrender fee to cover the vet costs and care associated with the dog. If we have room, we will help other purebreds and mixed-breed dogs. Our requirement is that each dog we help be of sound temperament. As a shepherd for canines in need of rescue assistance, THDR’s mission is to care for and find loving permanent homes for these dogs. THDR will not refuse its services to any dog in need of immediate care or attention, provided the organization has space in which to humanely and safely house the canines, the financial resources to provide for the care of the canines and the canine’s temperament is deemed sound. Once the dog is under the aegis of Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue, we put a lot of energy into each rescued dog. All rescues are provided necessary vet care (altering, vaccinations, heartworm test and prevention during the season, etc.). While in foster care, all dogs are crate trained, housebroken, taught house manners, socialized, introduced to riding in a vehicle and given some basic obedience training prior to placement. Why We Do What We DoThere is no easy answer to that question. We do not pretend that it is no big deal. It is. It involves a lot of time. As unpaid volunteers, this means that time is taken away from our loved ones, our dogs, our friends, ourselves. Rescue is very stressful and often very heartbreaking.Each dog that THDR takes into its program is a special dog. We see the onfusion and pain in the eyes of the dogs that enter our program. We never tire of seeing a foster dog initiate play for the first time or being the lucky recipient of that first kiss that is offered. Rescued dogs are not for everyone, but it is our hope that the ones we rescue are going to be treasured family companions. If we never placed any of the dogs for whom we provided care, we would not be able to continue. Sending a dog to a GREAT home gives us energy to continue. We do it because we care deeply about unwanted dogs and because we can help. To us, these are living, breathing creatures with feelings. They are not *just dogs*. They are part of our hearts. "If not me, than who, if not now, then when, if not this dog, then which dog?" Anon. Almost all of our volunteers are owned by a Giant breed. The decision to help Giant breeds that were in the Ottawa Humane Society came about after we learned that there wasn't a local all-breed rescue group willing to take large dogs from the OHS. It was also at the time when the Society adopted a rescue release policy whereby dogs would be eligible to be released to rescue. Around this time, we also learned that some local Breed Clubs will only help dogs that bear a CKC tattoo. Sadly, many of the Giants that come into a shelter are from backyard breeders. Perhaps the worst form of animal cruelty is indiscriminate breeding and the killing of the surplus number of animals. There are too many unwanted animals in North America. There are not enough homes for them all. If you haven't had your pet spayed or neutered, please make an appointment to do so TODAY. If you know someone who hasn't spayed or neutered their pet, please encourage that person to be a responsible pet owner. How Many Dogs Can We Help?Trinity of Hope Dog Rescue does not set an annual limit of how many dogs can be helped by its volunteers. We approach each dog as a very important dog and we spend as much time as it takes to ensure that the dog is ready for adoption. We like to boast that it isn't about quantity, it is about quality. If it is important for you to know how many dogs we place each year, our annual average is between 14-18 dogs. We know that doesn't sound like a lot of dogs, but remember most of our dogs stay in foster care for a minimum of 4 months. The reason is that many arrive untrained, without any previous veterinary care history, and not housebroken. In addition to the dogs we place, we have also helped find rescue assistance for dogs that are not our breeds or are in an area where we do not have foster homes, or where there is another Saint Bernard Rescue volunteer or Newfoundland Rescue volunteer closer to the dog in need. Euthanasia PolicyIf, during the time the dog is in foster care, we learn that the dog is not of sound temperament or has a terminal medical condition for which there is no treatment or for which the treatment exceeds our budget or that of a potential adopter, we will have the dog humanely euthanized. This is not a decision we enjoy making nor one that we take lightly.Prior to euthanizing a dog because of a medical condition, we will speak with other rescue groups to find out if they have a potential home for the dog or funds to maintain the dog. Prior to euthanizing the dog for bad temperament, we will verify that there is not something medically wrong with the dog that is making it display aggressive tendencies. Bad temperament doesn't get better, it only gets worse. Since we work primarily with Giants, the damage that can be done by one bite is devastating. We do not wish to put ourselves, our children, our fosters or our own animals in jeopardy. And, we most certainly do not wish to put our potential adopters' children in jeopardy. Contact Us
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