A heartfelt weeklong effort by hundreds of Okotokians led to the successful rescue of Raven, a one-and-a-half-year-old Labrador mix, who went missing in the town of Okotoks earlier this month.
Raven, who had been rescued from the cold in Saskatchewan by Moe Dog Rescue Mission, was placed in an adoption trial in Okotoks on March 1 when she managed to escape. According to Sam Burnett, co-owner of Moe Dog Rescue, the escape came as a surprise, given Raven’s gentle and caring nature.
“She’s a mom dog who took in a litter of six puppies, and even two additional strays of the same age, showing her nurturing spirit,” Burnett shared. “But once she was out and scared, getting her back was no easy task.”
Despite multiple attempts to coax Raven back, she remained fearful and elusive, continuing to flee from anyone who tried to approach her.
In response, Moe Dog Rescue Mission turned to social media, sharing the news of Raven’s disappearance and urging the community to keep a lookout. The public’s response was immediate and overwhelming. Okotoks residents rallied around the cause, sharing sightings and vital information, helping to track the dog’s movements.
Burnett expressed her gratitude, saying, “The community really stepped up. If it wasn’t for their help, we wouldn’t have known where to focus our efforts or where Raven was going.”
The search was a true community-wide effort, with two volunteer groups totaling around 150 active participants. Overall, Burnett estimates that over 500 people were involved through calls, texts, and social media posts.
With the help of K9 Recovery Service, the community was able to map out Raven’s route, which led to her capture in a trap exactly one week after she had first gone missing.
Raven was immediately taken to Southern Alberta Veterinary Emergency (SAVE) in Okotoks, where she received treatment for dehydration and other health concerns caused by her ordeal. After a night of monitoring, Raven was released into the care of Moe Dog Rescue Mission, quickly regaining her health and returning to her foster home.
Burnett reflects on the experience, saying, “It was so funny to see Raven walk back into Katie’s house like nothing had happened, as though she had never been missing.”
Moe Dog Rescue Mission has since shared updates on Raven’s recovery and expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the search, underscoring the strength of the Okotoks community.
Related topics:
“The Great Dog Chase: A Saturday Morning Adventure”
Crossbreed Chester Wins “Most Handsome Dog” Trophy at Crufts’ Scruffts
Greenmount: Dog Rescued by Firefighters After Getting Head Wedged
