Roxy’s Fund

Every day, Downtown Dogs owner and operator Christine Reynard takes her beloved 11 year-old pug, Roxy, to work with her. Roxy is very much a fixture in the office, and is well-known by the hundreds of clients that she greets while perched on her own chair on a faux-fur pillow.

In late summer 2011, Roxy was taken from Downtown Dogs by a woman who was later seen in the neighbourhood carrying her. The Vancouver Police Department became involved in the case and involved the local media. Hundreds of volunteers, clients, friends, and strangers aided in the search for Roxy, putting up posters, sharing information through social media, and combing on foot areas all over the lower mainland.

Thanks to the huge outpouring of support from the community and the high-visibility and awareness of the case, Roxy’s “captor” was eventually pressured by family and friends into contacting Roxy’s guardian and returning her to her home four days after she went missing.

It was during the days of searching that Christine’s friend, Lori Mason, was struck by the number of homeless people who had pets. Lori, owner of Obediently Yours K9 Training, felt compelled to do something to help support these guardians in providing items that would help keep their pets comfortable, particularly during the winter months. Lori reached out to her network and the donations starting to come in and Roxy’s Fund was created.

Paws for Hope Animal Foundation is proud to come on board as a partner to provide organizational and logistical support. We will partner with agencies who serve the homeless and street involved population and who will assist in distributing donated items to pet guardians in need. We will recruit and support volunteers who will assist in delivering items to our partner service agencies.

How you can help

By donating pet jackets, bedding, leashes, litter, litter boxes and food.

Items can be dropped off at;

Downtown Dogs
3387 Kingsway, Vancouver.

 

 

 

 

 

Dog Utopia
#8-15531 24th Ave, Surrey

 

 

 

 

 

Black Bear Wine and Brew
#2-22826 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge

 

 

 

By making a cash contribution to Paws for Hope Animal Foundation on line or by mailing a cheque or money order to

Paws for Hope Animal Foundation
7155 Kingsway
PO Box 54556
Burnaby, BC
V5E 1E0

Please indicate donation is for Roxy’s Fund

By volunteering Contact Kathy Powelson at pawsforhope@gmail.com for a volunteer application

Become a partner

Does your organization provide services for individuals who are homeless or street involved? If you are interesting in becoming a partner, contact Kathy Powelson at kathy@pawsforhope.org or call 604-657-4183

Remembering Violet through Roxy’s Fund

I work at the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities and one of our long-time volunteers, Violet, didn’t show up for work Jan 3rd—the day we re-opened after the holidays. Violet had volunteered with us for almost four years and was extremely reliable and conscientious about her work. She was missing for about three months and was finally found March 15th in Pacific Spirit Park. The BC Coroners Service ruled out foul play.

Our board, staff and volunteers have been devastated by Violet’s passing. She was calm, quiet and thoughtful. Violet and I shared a love of animals and had countless conversations about dogs—hers, mine and all of the dogs needing homes. She really missed her old dog who had died a few years ago and she wanted to adopt another. However, given her financial situation, she worried about being able to care for another dog. She was gentle and kind and probably never knew how much she was appreciated. Her co-workers and I felt that a donation to Roxy’s Fund in Violet’s memory would be a fitting way to mark her passing and honour her love of animals. Thank you for being there and for the work that you do.
—Shelley Hourston, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
Assorted links:

VPD post

Family of missing Vancouver woman plea for help in finding her
By CHERYL CHAN, The Province January 31, 2012

BC Coroners Service

 

Roxy’s Fund Launches at Vancouver Homeless Connect 2011

Thanks to the generous donations from Jake & Daisey’s we were able to respond to  an urgent request from the City of Vancouver to provide participants of the Vancouver Connect 2011 with much needed food, collar and leashes.

Donation Drive collects over 400lbs of food

On November 20, 2011 a group of volunteers came together to make individual sized bags of over 400lbs of dog and cat food and treats.  We will be making our first delivery to our community partners in December.

Our Community Partners & Sponsors