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Shuswap group Aries Cares raising funds for cat’s emergency surgery

Local pet owners and Humane Society receive proceeds from various fundraisers
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Salem the cat will be the recipient of the Shuswap animal foundation Aries’ Cares bottle drive at the Sicamous Return-It depot on Sunday, Feb. 26. (Contributed)

Shuswap animal lovers have a chance to help a furry friend in need this weekend.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Sicamous Return-It depot, local group Aries Cares hosted a bottle drive to fund a local cat’s emergency dental surgery.

Aries Cares has been operating since December 2020, running bottle drives to raise funds for people in the community who need help with veterinary bills.

If they aren’t running a fundraiser for any specific cause, Aries Cares founder Rebecca Olsen continues to collect bottles and cans, and donates everything to the Okanagan Humane Society’s Pet Assistance Program.

Olsen said the local recipient of this bottle drive will be Salem the cat.

Salem was rushed to the vet in early February because his owner saw blood in the cat’s urine.

After a urinary blockage was ruled out, Salem was diagnosed with cystitis caused by a rotting tooth.

The Okanagan Humane Society then funded a trip to Shuswap Veterinary Clinic to confirm the diagnosis.

Salem will need dental surgery to extract the rotting tooth to be able to heal.

One bottle drive has already collected $355 for Salem, and the second, at the Return-It depot at 322 Finlayson St., happens on Tuesday.

Aries Cares’ name came from Olsen’s dog, Aries who, in October 2020, needed surgery Olsen couldn’t afford.

“I was quoted $5,000 for a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy,” said Olsen.

“But I couldn’t not do this surgery. She was in so much pain.

“The happiest dog I had ever met was now sad all the time.”

So Olsen started a GoFundMe.

Although most of the donors were her friends and family, she still couldn’t believe the response in donations.

Olsen had the funds for Aries’ surgery in just five weeks.

She said donations kept pouring in even after the surgery.

That led her to realize how much need there was for a program like this so she kept it going.

“I love helping people and I love helping people keep their animals more.”

If you would like to donate, reach out to Aries Cares on Facebook or by emailing ariesgivesback@gmail.com.

Donors can also call or text 250-683-2275 to arrange a time to drop off bottles at either Blind Bay or Salmon Arm.

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@willson_becca
rebecca.willson@saobserver.net

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Rebecca Willson

About the Author: Rebecca Willson

I took my first step into the journalism industry in November 2022 when I moved to Salmon Arm to work for the Observer and Eagle Valley News. I graduated with a journalism degree in December 2021 from MacEwan University in Edmonton.
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