Our mission at Zoe’s Animal Rescue is to make positive changes in the lives of pets, families and communities in need.
We strive to save one animal at a time, we at Zoe’s have learned that
“saving one animal does change the world for the better, not just for the animal itself but has ripple effects for good through the lives of the people around it”
The core of our mission is fulfilled through a unique five-pronged service approach in collaboration with our partner communities:
Spay Neuter Return (SaNeR) Program
The heart of our rescue is our Spay Neuter Return (SaNeR) Program. We provide low cost and neuter to animals in our partner communities where income and availability of vet services are a barrier. We have seen an incredible decrease in the population of unwanted animals in our partner communities through this program.
Supporting People and Their Animals in Marginalized Communities
We work to keep animals in their homes and out of rescues. We do our best to support the needs of people and animals in marginalized communities in whatever way possible. We can provide low cost veterinary care, with mandatory spay or neuter, as we are striving to prevent unwanted litters and promote overall animal health. We also build shelters, and bring food and supplies to the animals.
Education for Children and Communities
We provide education in our partner communities, school presentations, one-on-one conversations, and ongoing support. We believe that education makes a key difference in the treatment and care of animals, as well as the safety of children and communities.
Adoption Program
When animals must be rehomed, we place them with loving foster families. Our animals are provided with medical care (which includes a mandatory spay or neuter) and behavioral support so that they are ready for their forever family. Our goal is to place the right animal with the right person to ensure a successful adoption.
Commitment to Force Free Handling
We are members of the Alberta Force Free Alliance. We are passionate about ensuring all animals are handled in a loving and force free manner in all areas of their lives including training, vet services, and grooming.
We are a registered nonprofit charity (registration number 830544938RR0001).
The Original Zoe
Zoe, in Greek, means life.
We would like you to meet our original Zoe, an American Staffordshire, whose life became a precious part of our organization.
We found Zoe in North Carolina in a high kill shelter, and as Pit Bulls are in the top two dogs euthanized in shelters, we knew we needed to find a way to rescue her. Zoe became our first US rescue. Although we primarily focus on Canadian rescues, we execute international rescues a couple times a year. Due to the Pit Bull ban in Ontario at the time, we had to fly Zoe to Montana, at which point Kath and Dave drove all the way from Edmonton to pick her up!
Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society began in August 2012. We began with a modest 20 volunteers, and 100 followers on Facebook. We now have more than 400 volunteers, and more enthusiastic animal lovers are constantly added to our team. Zoe’s Facebook page has over 25,000 followers, as well as an Instagram, Twitter and a YouTube channel!
Zoe’s has grown in so many great ways, and it is because of all of our hard working and dedicated volunteers, fosters, and supporters that we have achieved so much greatness. Our animals become our world, and our reason for waking up in the morning. Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society is more than a safe place for animals – it is one in which they are constantly loved and cared for.
The Team
The Zoe’s Animal Rescue team is made up of a group of animal lovers based in Edmonton, AB who share the goal of saving vulnerable and at-risk animals. We are dedicated to each and every rescue animal, from intake, through vetting, fostering, home screening, and finally, to adoption. Zoe’s is 100% volunteer run, so we have a large and supportive network to get things done efficiently.
Board of Directors
These are the people who run Zoe’s Animal Rescue, and are responsible for the direction and strategy of our organization.
Kath Oltsher, Co-Founder – CBTMG Graduate
My principle is “when animals are treated with compassion and respect, it only follows that the lives of children, families and communities are improved and enriched.” I see this unfold anew each day in my own life, my children’s lives, and my pets’ lives. I am a strong advocate of spaying and neutering companion animals to help ensure that there are less animals that need to be rescued. I sincerely hope that rescue organizations are out of business one day, because above all else, I’d like to see the end to unwanted animals.
Sasha Campbell, Co-Founder – CBTMG Graduate
Gandhi’s quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world” has always really resonated with me and driven me to try and be that change. I am working so hard to improve the welfare of animals because I believe with all of my heart that all beings should be shown love and respect. I believe that by educating and empowering communities without judgement or hatred, that great changes can happen; we must not ever give up hope. I am a strong advocate for spaying and neutering at all costs as a means to truly combat the problem of animal overpopulation and neglect. I believe that animals have so much to teach us and can truly bring so much happiness and love to even the darkest day. A little more about me: I am a Labour and Delivery nurse, a vegetarian and I love to spend time working with animals. I enjoy travelling as well as being in the company of family and friends. I am blessed to be living my life following my passion. If I can leave this world knowing that I have helped make it better I will consider myself to have truly lived.
Jackie Honour
As a young woman, I spent a great deal of time with dogs, helping my father train hunting dogs and showing my English Cocker Spaniel. My love of dogs has remained strong. In 2009 my husband Mark and I decided to relocate from Vancouver to Edmonton so we could buy a home with a big back yard and adopt a few dogs. Once in Edmonton, we saw the enormous need for rescues in the province, and decided that our home had enough love and space to become a foster home. Mark and I now share our home with two adopted rescues, Sunny and Emma.
Dave Shook
I’m a busy dad, engineer, spay/neuter clinic volunteer, and Zoe’s board member. I also have a soft spot for rubbing dogs’ tummies! How did I get into rescue? You’ll need to ask my rescue dog Sugar about that. She picked me, and the rest is history.
Jamie Durocher
I grew up in a rural setting, which helped to develop my passion for all animals. At a young age, I got into the habit of bringing strays home to my family’s farm. Luckily my Mom shared my passion for animals, so we never turned a stray away. I remember caring for animals that needed it most, from dogs abandoned in ditches to a neighbour’s three-legged cat. As an adult, I have the philosophy that any little bit helps. I got involved with Zoe’s because of my desire to share my love of animals with a group of people dedicated to an important cause.