Rescue dedicated to small animals raising funds for shelter space
A Manitoba animal rescue, which works exclusively with exotic animals and ‘pocket pets,’ is turning to the public for help in raising money for a shelter space.
Popcorns and Binkies Rescue Haven, a charitable not-for-profit in Winnipeg, focuses on animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, and hedgehogs.
After five and a half years in operation, the rescue is looking for a physical shelter to provide emergency intake space. The not-for-profit is currently a foster-based rescue without a physical building.
To help with its goal, Popcorns and Binkies launched the ‘Stairway to Haven’ campaign on Monday to raise $150,000 towards getting that shelter location.
“We’ve been doing okay for about 5.5 years, but the demand for the animals we take in, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, all those kinds of things, has grown exponentially,” said Cindy Hildebrand, director and founder of Popcorns and Binkies Rescue Haven.
Popcorn and Binkies helps exotic animals and pocket pets. (Source: Scott Andersson/CTV News)
Hildebrand said that post-pandemic, many animals have been surrendered and need a placement. Since Popcorns and Binkies is one of the few places that take in exotic animals and pocket pets, the rescue needs more space to care for all the animals coming in.
“Foster homes aren’t cutting it anymore, so we need an actual shelter,” Hildebrand said.
Hildebrand explained that fostering rabbits and guinea pigs tend to be a longer commitment than taking in dogs or cats, which makes it difficult to find foster homes.
She added that having a physical space would help Popcorns and Binkies with emergency intakes for small animals that need immediate placement.
“Having a shelter would allow us that emergency intake space to bring them in, assess them and get them the medical care that they need,” Hildebrand said.
She noted that a physical shelter would also take some of the strain off of the rescue’s foster homes, freeing them up for the more long-term cases.
More information about Popcorns and Binkies and the Stairway to Haven campaign can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.