Kim Hessel was bowled over to search out out that Heaven Can Wait was voted Favourite Charity within the 2023 Western Wheel Readers’ Choice Awards. 

“Wow, I'm undecided what to say about that. I really feel like we don't deserve it,” she mentioned. “I imply, animals are necessary, however there's lots of good individuals doing good work. That's beautiful that folks worth and admire the work that we do.” 

Hessel based the animal rescue again within the spring of 1999 to offer shelter, care and nourishment to deserted, abused and homeless home animals in High River and surrounding space. 

She’s fast to credit score the devoted employees and volunteers for protecting the operation, which is positioned in Foothills County simply exterior High River, going for almost 25 years. 

“If I had recognized what I used to be entering into again then, I in all probability would have mentioned it is a dangerous thought, you understand, to be broke on a regular basis and at all times odor just a little bit like cat pee,” Hessel joked. “But it's been a extremely fascinating journey and we wouldn't have been capable of do it with out a number of the superb, superb people who have caught with me. Some of our volunteers return to these very early days.” 

Hessel mentioned there are ongoing challenges when it comes to area and funds, however the shelter does no matter it may to help homeless animals. Currently bursting with 60 dogs and 170 cats, the non-profit is trying ahead to fall when adoptions sometimes decide up, which is able to release room to soak up extra animals. 

“There's at all times area limitations, there's at all times money limitations, there's human useful resource limitations, however you understand, animals need assistance, so if we now have the area and we now have the assets, then we'll strive our greatest to do this and assist them.” 

She mentioned Heaven Can Wait does its finest to supply good properties, guaranteeing it matches a canine or cat with the wants of a household, so the animal doesn’t find yourself returning to the shelter. Hessel mentioned they take their time with the adoption course of to ensure they’re doing proper by the animal and by the adopting pet mum or dad. 

Some animals get adopted shortly however others might need a protracted keep, a state of affairs usually dictated by breed or behavioural points. 

“There must be some accountable rehoming on our half in order that we're not sending an animal out into a nasty state of affairs or giving an animal to anyone that doesn't have the expertise to handle them, so it's being cautious and doing proper by everyone concerned and generally that takes extra time. 

“I don't simply blow them out the door as a result of they're right here; we have to discover that proper place for them, and I must sleep at evening and know that we did the suitable factor.”