Langley Animal Protection Society Uses Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund to Help Pets Impacted By Flooding

After the devastating floods ravaged Sumas Prairie in November 2021, the University of the Fraser Valley, the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, and the Abbotsford Community Foundation joined forces to help those most impacted. Within two days after the flooding, the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund (ADRF) was established to support both front-line agencies providing essential services and local farming businesses.
The Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS) was one of the many front-line agencies that received funding for their work. LAPS’s mandate is to promote the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of companion animals in the Langley area. They carry out their mandate by using professional and humane animal control methods and innovative animal welfare programs. Based out of the Patti Dale Animal Shelter in Aldergrove, their staff and volunteers use a progressive and humane approach to care for more than 1400 dogs, cats and large animals each year. All animals cared for by LAPS benefit from environmental enrichment, frequent exercise, nutritious food and industry-leading medical care. Their staff and volunteers ensure that each animal has the best chance at a happy and healthy life. 
This standard of care was one of the many reasons LAPS was provided funding to support families with pets impacted by flooding. Their team used the funds to: 

• Provide a weekly distribution of pet food and supplies to individuals in need through a partnership with Archway. 
• Provide free emergency boarding at LAPS for companion animals whose families were displaced from their homes and couldn’t take them to their temporary location. This included all costs associated with the animal’s stay, such as food, bedding, laundry services, toys and other enrichment.
• Provide veterinary care for animals who were injured or acquired illnesses because of the flood. 
• Trap and reunite animals with their owners. 

LAPS will also be offering a one-day event on April 2, 2022, to provide free microchips, registration, and medical exam for pets of flood victims and gift certificates for up to $1,000 for any animal in need of additional veterinary care. They will have two vets and four veterinary assistants on-site to chip the animals, provide free exams, and help people in need of additional veterinary care for their pets. 

Pictured below is Winnie, a stray from Abbotsford who was found amid the flooding. When she arrived at LAPS, she was balding, bleeding, and looked like she had just had puppies. Thanks to the incredible team at LAPS, Winnie is on the mend and patiently waiting for her forever family.

According to LAPS, the project has been a huge success thanks to the outpouring of support from the community. All animals, but one, rescued during the height of the flood have found their way back home, and they continue to supply pet food weekly to Archway to redistribute to their clients who continue to struggle to care for their pets.
LAPS would like to thank those who donated to the ADRF for their generous support that allows projects like this one to happen. To learn more about LAPS and their services, click here.
To learn more about the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund, click here.