You can go crazy with reading about all of the cruelty that goes on towards animals, from the baby elephant that was beat to death in the Morigaon district to poor Jack the dog who was left to die outside of a shelter.  The stories are endless. It can really bum a person out. On top of all that you can add Factory Farms, Fur Farms, Dairy Production and Seal Slaughter! Good Grief! It’s a good thing that there are places out there that are here to help animals. Giving animals a place where they can feel safe and loved.

Hearts On Noses and SAINTS are a few that come to mind. Both of them are local to the lower mainland and both purley run with kind hearts and donations from others who care. No government support or grants.

Hearts on Noses is a registered non-profit society in Maple Ridge BC that rescues, rehabilitates and cares for unwanted, injured, orphaned, abused, neglected and abandoned mini-pigs. Janice is the woman who runs Hearts On Noses and she will always welcome another set of hands on the farm. If you would like to get up close and personal with the pigs why don’t you volunteer 3 hours of your time to help Janice and the pigs. You won’t want to just go once, I promise! These little pigs will steal  your heart.

Another local sanctuary will also melt your heart, when you hear the stories about these pups who at the tail end of life have no where else to go. Abused, sick and senior pups find sanctuary at SAINTS.

SAINTS is an end-of-life sanctuary for senior and special needs animals that have no where else to go. Providing a loving environment and proper medical care for all of its residents.

SAINTS was started in December 2004 after volunteers at other animal shelters saw many senior animals spending their last days in a shelter or pound. From the time doors opened, the number of animals in need has been astounding and ever-growing

SAINTS reliess heavily on donations and volunteers to keep the sanctuary going. The medical costs for these naimals can be very expensive. With the help from donations they are able to provide the proper medical treatment and even prolong the life of the animal through the proper medications and care.

SAINTS pledges to love them, to care for them, and make their dreams come true. They promise each of them that they will never be alone again. They will be by the sides of these pups making their final days comfortable full of love and known appreciation for the life they so loyally gave. In most cases the animals have lived horrible lives never seeing a kind day but the most important thing is that they know that they were loved in the end.

Want to visit? SAINTS is located in Mission and a scenic one hour drive from Vancouver. You can drive to SAINTS via Lougheed Hwy or the #1 Hwy. View Map