An animal rescue operating south of Calgary celebrated 30 years of care and compassion last weekend.
Pound Rescue gathered in Aldersyde on Sept. 21 for a special event to commemorate three decades of charitable service in the Foothills.
"It's great to see the dogs and the people that have helped us grow," said Pound Rescue president Rosa Kurtz.
"We're trying to just help as many animals as we can with as many people that are willing to help us."
Over the last 30 years, Pound Rescue has helped tens of thousands of abandoned animals find new homes, including rescuing pets from dire circumstances.
"Myself alone, I've fostered probably 800," reflected Kurtz, who has been part of the organization for 23 years.
"I wish we weren't here, I wish that we were not needed. I wish that society had advanced to the point that rescues are not needed, but it's looking like it's not going to stop in the near future."
With no office and a network of fosters caring for animals, Pound Rescue is entirely volunteer-run.
"We're one of the few, I think, that actually have no paid people," explained Kurtz, who runs the organization as a volunteer. "I don't get paid, none of the board get paid, everyone's a volunteer that works with these animals.
"All the money goes towards the care of these animals. I think that that's really important for people to understand."
Kurtz became president of Pound Rescue earlier this year, taking over from the late Dr. Gabriele Barrie, who founded the organization in 1994.
"She was my best friend," said Kurtz. "She was awesome. She gave everything to this rescue, all her time, her resources, everything... she was a very loving person towards animals and did all she could to change the world for them."
As Pound Rescue moves forward, the organization continues to look for fosters and volunteers. Any sort of help, from dog walking to helping organize adoption events to driving rescued animals, is welcome and appreciated.
Learn more about Pound Rescue, including animals up for adoption and ways to get involved, on its website.