For two decades Ann and Pete Wilson have been rescuing, fostering and finding homes for abandoned dogs. Their calling began when they heard there was a shortage of foster homes at the Alliston and District Humane Society. The organization had no sheltering facility and was struggling to keep up with the number of dogs entering the adoption program. Ann and Pete offered to take a dog home and foster her until suitable permanent placement could be found. After their first foster dog found a home, it wasn’t long before another dog needed them and they have not stopped since.
While their rescue work began over 20 years ago, Ann and Pete have never been strangers to the world of dogs. Long time members of the York Region Dog Obedience Club, Ann in particular, found herself competing at all levels of obedience and through her years of handling had the highest scoring Newfoundland and Dalmatian in Canada. She volunteered as a trainer at the club for several years and enjoyed watching the progress of both dog and handler as they learned new skills, gained confidence and bonded resulting in a better human/canine relationship.
Her training experience soon became the focus of how to help their often untrained, high energy and under socialized foster dogs become good citizens. The training the Wilsons provide give the dogs the skills and good manners needed to become more adoptable companions.
Ann says that “A successful adoption is achieved by finding the right home for the right dog and clearly understanding the expectations of the adoptive family. We take into consideration activity levels (of both dog and family), the family’s dog experience, and their time commitment along with a host of other lifestyle circumstances. We believe that proper ‘matchmaking’ is the key to a successful adoption”.
In 1991, the Wilson’s were asked to be the official foster home for Animal Alliance’s “Project Jessie”. Project Jessie is a rescue network for lost, stray and abandoned cats and dogs in pounds where they are vulnerable to being sold for research. Although Project Jessie is a "band aid" solution to a problem requiring a legislative solution, Animal Alliance continues to work to effect municipal and provincial bans on pound seizure.
“Although the majority of our rescue dogs come through Animal Alliance of Canada not every dog we take was destined to research. Many of the dogs we take are in danger of being euthanized due to lack of cage space at pounds. Despite the efforts of animal welfare organizations to educate the public about spaying/neutering, responsibilities and commitment involved in dog ownership, there are still far too many dogs who end up homeless because their original owners were either unwilling to train their dog or devote the time needed to sharing life with a dog” says Ann.
The Wilsons also foster dogs for the Etobicoke Humane Society which is an entirely volunteer organization that has no sheltering facility.
Each year, Ann and Pete’s Foster Home for Dogs find homes for approximately 200 displaced dogs. The husband and wife team are strictly volunteers and receive no financial gains for their work. All of the dogs are neutered/spayed, fully vaccinated and micro-chipped prior to adoption.
If you want to support Ann and Pete’s work, donations can be made to Animal Alliance for their "Project Jessie Program". The money goes towards funding the neuter/spay program and other medical procedures the dogs may require. Donations can be sent to: Animal Alliance of Canada, 221 Broadview Avenue, Suite 101, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 2G3. Cheques should be marked “Project Jessie".
To learn more about the dogs for adoption at Ann and Pete’s Foster Home for Dogs call 905-939-2692 or visit: www.annandpetesrescuedogs.com
