LAKELAND - Simple acts of kindness can go a long way to restoring faith in the human race and that is exactly what a Bellis area man is experiencing as he looks to resolve a challenge that landed in his lap.
The sudden death of a friend in the rural area has Toby Neuendorf stepping in to do what he can to care for the man’s large number of dogs left behind on his property.
“He lived alone. He was in his late 60s, and he wasn’t that well but he had lots of animals,” explained Neuendorf. “He had about 18 horses, a bunch of goats and a bunch of dogs. He spent his entire AISH cheque every month just feeding these animals, he loved his animals.”
When he died about four weeks ago and with no relatives living nearby, Neuendorf started doing what he could for the animals and began to rally the support of others.
Neuendorf estimates there may be upwards of 15 dogs in varying shapes and sizes on the property, but getting near them has been a challenge as they’ve been “very elusive.” Another neighbour has already picked up the horses and goats from the property to provide care for them.
“I’ve seen 10 dogs at one time and there’s a small litter under the mobile home. I’ve been feeding the mother and babies separately,” he said.
The SPCA stepped in initially, visiting the site and bringing food for the dogs and indicating they will help as they are able.
About a week ago, with the food supply running low and the dogs still in need of care, Neuendorf said he started making calls to anyone who might have some meat scraps to spare for the animals.
“I called around to anyone with a butchering licence in the area between here and Cold Lake and Athabasca.”
One of those calls was to Jeremy Heraid of Rafter HJ Ranch in the Elk Point area. Heraid was happy to help and told Neuendorf he would see what he could round up and he also directed Neuendorf to Pine Meadows Hutterite Colony which has a meat shop. They were happy to would provide some scraps for the dogs.
“I told him I’d have to see what I could get a hold of and then talked with some family members,” Heraid said. “They had some excess stuff from previous years that they were going to get rid of and they could donate that.”
It’s a tremendous relief for Neuendorf.
“They are arranging to donate a bunch of old beef from their freezers to keep these dogs going for a while,” he said, adding friends have also offered to go and pick up the meat for the dogs.
“I just thought that was the best human-interest story I’ve heard in a long time and it’s kind of few and far between these days.”
However, on Friday a second visit to the property by the SPCA indicated there is no room for the dogs in their facilities, which has been the same response from animal shelters throughout the region.
“She said they would have to euthanize them if they picked them up. She suggested that we euthanize them ourselves, but now that we have the amazing source of beautiful meat scraps from Pine Meadow Colony meat shop and will have Jeremy's family's generous donation - and the hope that your story will probably find good farms and ranches for them - I want to continue feeding them and waiting to see how Divine providence continues to bless the whole situation.”
Neuendorf welcomes calls from people who want to help or even possibly adopt one of the dogs. He can be reached at 825-526-3622.
