Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 Good morning, Fort McMurray, wood, Buffalo, and the rest of the world. You've tuned into the Mac CD morning show. I'm your host Dahlia, Pierre. And as per usual, we're going to start this episode off the same way we start every episode off with a moment of gratitude. I know you could be doing a million things with your time, and the fact that you spent it with us truly does mean the world to me. So thank you on that note, Tanner hit him with the intro.
Speaker 1 00:00:20 She caught me, loves near listened to the next any morning show.
Speaker 0 00:00:29 Okay. And we're back. I'm really excited about today's guest because it's complete stranger. So we're gonna meet a new person today, which, you know, that's my favorite thing to do. And, uh, this individual is coming to talk about animals and that's one of Tanner's, uh, favorite things to talk about other than hot wheels. So I know he's excited about today's episode. I'm a simple man. If you go on that note, as you also are aware, I don't introduce my guests because they can do a better job of that than myself. So on that note, sir, can you please tell everybody at home who you are and what you're about? Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:00:55 I'm a check brand scared. I'm the executive director for the Fort McMurray SPCA.
Speaker 0 00:00:59 Okay. Very cool. Now, Chuck, how long have you been in that role for
Speaker 3 00:01:04 A little under six months now. Okay. So brand new to it brand spanking new. Yep.
Speaker 0 00:01:08 Did you find yourself in this world? Is this a passion that you had before?
Speaker 3 00:01:13 A little bit question I had before, but honestly I really wanted to do something like my son was born two years ago. So he used to you now and I wanted to do something to show my kids, all of my kids that, uh, being compassionate and, uh, and helping out the community is actually just as important if not more so than earning the all mighty dollar. So.
Speaker 0 00:01:33 Okay, good. So it's a learning lesson for the family too. That's great. So prior to getting involved with this, what industry did you find yourself working?
Speaker 3 00:01:41 I was out with the rest of my transportation. I was a continuous improvement manager and that's what I did. Yeah. Nice.
Speaker 0 00:01:48 Okay. All right. So this is your first forte into the not-for-profit sector. Interesting. How are you finding that transition?
Speaker 3 00:01:56 That's a totally different transition. Absolutely. It's totally different. And, uh, yeah, it's, it's a new learning for me, for sure. And there's lots of learning. Luckily I have a lot of good people that help me out.
Speaker 0 00:02:06 Nice. So we talked about this before, cause we talked literally for three minutes before we started filming. Um, my perception of the SPCA was that it's one of those charities. Um, and we're going to use huge air quotes, like the sexy charities. Um, and you enlightened me on a point where I never really thought about it for, or never thought about it before. And can you please elaborate on like the people component of what you said? Cause I thought that was,
Speaker 3 00:02:32 Yeah, absolutely. So in the six months that I've been there, I've noticed actually the most of the grants and most of the people, uh, donations and so on and so forth are going to people first, which makes sense because people first I understand that you, so he goes to your food banks to your shelters and that anything to help people. Um, and then next on the line is the animal. So unless you're really passionate about animals and there are a lot of people that are really passionate about those animals, but that's, that's usually the way it works. Yeah. Right.
Speaker 0 00:03:00 So it's one of those, um, charities where me as a non pet person, um, I kind of forget about the SPCA or the, for my child. I got to say we come and we donate. Cause he likes to come and read, read to the cats. Yeah. Oh my God, I I'm Tara. I don't like cats. I don't like cats. I'm sorry everybody at home. I'm not a cat person. Um, they, I just, they, they keep me on edge. Like I just can't relax around them and my kid loves cats. And so we bring them to the SPC and he reads and he plays with them and he loves it. But it's not my first go-to thought. And you nailed it if regards, if you're not a pet person, it kind of, you, you kind of forget about it. Absolutely. Although I have like nothing but empathy and I want to help, it's not in the forefront of my mind. So I think that's a really good message to get out there. It's just like, Hey, even if you're not a pet person, you've got these animals down there. Yeah,
Speaker 3 00:03:49 Yeah. 100%. I mean, there's, it's not just about the animals though, because that's what a lot of people forget is helping the animals actually helps out a lot of communities. So for example, our rural communities, um, we help actually help a lot of animals in our rural communities as well as Fort McMurray. So I, when we're intaking some of these animals or, or donations for up for foods, for example, um, we donated 20, I think it was over 26,000 pounds of food last year to rural community animals that really needed the help. So yeah.
Speaker 0 00:04:21 Okay. Now the one thing I do know about SPCAs like you guys do some cool little drives every once in a while to raise money. I know back in the day there used to be like a bike, a bike drive, and like you come fix up your bike, but I always really admired the innovation of the different things that they have put on and collecting rags and stuff. So can you talk to me a little bit about what you guys are doing to raise money and awareness for?
Speaker 3 00:04:46 Absolutely. So we actually had to change things up this year a little bit, uh, because of COVID, COVID kind of changed up everything. Um, we used to have our big events, masquerade ball, so on and so forth. And that used to bring in a lot of, a lot of our donations, um, button. We had to change things up big time this year. So I'm just going to grab this real quick please. Yeah. Yeah. So this year we got a sponsorship package, which, uh, which has the events calendar and so on and so forth. Um, and that do we have, uh, locked in the kennel? So we're going to be doing locked into kennel, uh, very similar to, um, what the United way just put on, but we're going to do it in the kennels, the SPCA. Um, and we're going to do pedals for paws. So that's your bike? Um, like when you were talking about where he picks up the bikes and then sell them off, and then we're also going to do a garage sale as well that day and, uh, like kind of a family barbecue as well. So it's kind of a pancake breakfast sorta deal. Cool. And then we're going to do a cook-off at Superstore. Nice.
Speaker 0 00:05:48 Cook-off
Speaker 3 00:05:49 So it's going to be like a competition between 10, um, 10 competitors, uh, 10 chefs or 10 teams. And they get to, uh, run into Superstore, grab about a hundred dollars worth of groceries. Come back out, do a chili and a chili and bannock cook-off and then all those, uh, will go towards a shelter or not. Yeah. I think that
Speaker 4 00:06:13 A certain mix city hosts would be interested in
Speaker 0 00:06:15 Judging that that's right. Just throwing it out there. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 00:06:18 We're looking for judges. I'm just throwing that out there today. Absolutely. And then we read
Speaker 0 00:06:24 Some chili tenor
Speaker 3 00:06:25 Apps I'm here for that chili and Banick um, and then we've got dogs days of summer in June, um, which is going to be another one. So that's going to be a, basically got like a run, but you get to bring your animals and we'll make sure that they are properly tagged. So you, you know, which ones are, are good people, good with other animals so that everybody's safe. And then we also have a wellness vaccine clinics where we go to rural areas. So like last year we went out to Fort MCI and we did, uh, one of our wellness clinics and we vaccine, uh, vaccinated and microchipped. Um, I over 20, uh, cats and over 30 dogs, um, this year we want to do more. Um, we want to huddle to, uh, Fort chip, John, as many places as we possibly can to help with the vaccines and the microchipping.
Speaker 0 00:07:14 It's a big thing. A like as a, like a non pet owner, when I talked to my friends who own pets, like once again, something that a non pet owner takes for granted is like the vaccination and keeping these animals healthy. Like it it's like a, like a human being you got to go in, you need to take care of yourself. You need these things, you can catch a cold diseases illnesses, just like I can.
Speaker 3 00:07:34 Yeah, absolutely. And they can spread to other animals and so on and so forth the region. So there's a lot more to it. Um, and then for instance, a lot of the animals in rural areas, um, and our farming areas or whatever are, are actually left to roam because that's just what they are, they're work animals for the most part. Right. Um, so it's, it's actually great when we can vaccinate and microchip them. And then that way we know who the owner is, we know that we can get them back to the owner and get them back and safe. And, um, yeah, it's, it's a wonderful program
Speaker 0 00:08:05 Now. Uh, I don't know if this still takes place. I thought it was cool back in the day, but because of COVID, you know, I don't know. Um, I used to have a lot of friends who used to go and, uh, walk dogs. Do you, are you still able to come and pick up? Yeah,
Speaker 3 00:08:18 We still walk dogs right now. The volunteer program unfortunately, is kind of on hold again, the new variants and so on, so forth. But as soon as it comes back up and it looks like it's going to be within a month. Okay. Hoping we'll be able to get a dog walkers back and forth and walk the dogs. And yeah, absolutely. We're always looking for volunteers of some kind. So,
Speaker 0 00:08:37 And for the people who do want to volunteer, when allowed, how do they get in contact?
Speaker 3 00:08:42 Yeah. They can either call in or they can actually go onto the website and there's a volunteer click on the right page and fill in the information. Then we, uh, when you sign up, we'll give you a phone call and say, um, if we have something that month, we'll say that's a, we need your help with this.
Speaker 0 00:08:58 The other interesting thing like that, it's funny that I say I don't actually donate so much to the SPC of Malik, man. I actually donate a bunch, uh, was back in the day there used to be, you could bring like your old shirts in or towels or so we still do that. What was that? Like? I I've done it, but like, what was that about? I never understood why
Speaker 3 00:09:17 I was doing. Yeah. So the towels and stuff are actually used for the animals. So we actually used the towels as beds or where to wipe down the animals or clean up the animals cages or to, or kennels, pardon me, or two, um, that kind of thing. We actually use the towels for a lot of different reasons. Same with the blankets. We will actually put them on top of the bedding so that when we take it off, it's just easier clean. Right. Yeah. So yeah, it was incredible. Yeah. That's, that's the reason why we get a lot of the donations and we'll keep taking them
Speaker 0 00:09:46 In still needing
Speaker 3 00:09:47 Those things. Always, always, yeah.
Speaker 0 00:09:49 As far as like, uh, like hot items, what would be one of the things that you would say the SPCA needs? And I know it could be more than one thing, but like, that's why I say hot items. Like what are, if you're at home watching this right now and you're like, Hey, I want to help.
Speaker 3 00:10:05 What could that, yeah, there's multiple items. So like for instance, we take medication. So like a lot of people have their dogs longer than medication or the cats, they bring their medications to us. Um, and we can actually use those, uh, as long as they're within date. Um, and then also, uh, dog food, cat food, kitty litter, the usual stuff, add toys. Um, we can also take donations of something that we can resell. So then we can actually take that profit and put it into our animals. Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:10:37 Oh, interesting. So you're talking about like a car or house or,
Speaker 3 00:10:41 Well, we do have cars. We can, we, uh, we actually have a donate your car. You can actually donate your car online. Very similar to a lot of the cherries that are doing that now. Um, and then, and all we do is you just click on the button and somebody will come and get it and then they'll give us the money. And that's pretty much all there is to it. It's not easy. Um, and then there's also, um, people that have left us in their wills. That's another way to do it. So honestly, I, I didn't even think about that, uh, until I was about two months in and then somebody left us in their will. It was, it was amazing thought. And I'm like, I really need to do that person with the charities that I support as well besides the SPCA. So I, I actually did that for my well, um, yeah,
Speaker 0 00:11:25 Explain that to me. Like, what do you leave behind?
Speaker 3 00:11:27 So you leave behind monetary gains or you leave behind, uh, housing or illegally behind whatever you want to leave behind what this person left behind, uh, monies for different, uh, different organizations. Oh yeah. And we were one of them that was pretty awesome and amazing that this person thought of us. So, wow.
Speaker 0 00:11:44 That's neat. When it comes to animals, how did you get into animals? Is something you grew up with around you? Like what, where did that?
Speaker 3 00:11:53 Um, I actually originated from Saskatchewan, so it kind of grew up around farms. I'm very, very familiar with animals. Um, but I just always loved them. Honestly. I've just always been a big fan, honestly, is this is going to sound ridiculous. But Steve Irwin is probably my number. I was like his number one biggest fan. That's probably the only guy that showed up at his movie at all by myself. I honestly, that's probably how I really got into loving the animals. So,
Speaker 0 00:12:23 And so have you been, uh, you love animals? You've had, I have to assume cats, dogs, everything. I, this might be the stupidest question and I ask a lot of questions out. I'm like, I can't believe this is about to come out of my mouth, but at the SPCA, is it only dogs and cats are there other types of animals there as well? So
Speaker 3 00:12:41 Normally it is only dogs and cats. We normally only intake at dogs and cats, but we have had, um, anywhere from hamsters to bunnies to other animals. Is there ones I don't know about that? Honestly, there might've been, could have been a few
Speaker 4 00:12:57 Years ago there might've been a pig. Oh,
Speaker 0 00:12:59 Cool.
Speaker 4 00:13:01 Hey there, I know for a fact there is a pig in somebody's house, around town Roman
Speaker 3 00:13:06 And like a pack. Yeah. They, there are pigs that are pet, so I can't remember what they're called there, but there's smaller pigs and they actually a lot around
Speaker 4 00:13:14 That. They're sold as smaller pigs, but there's still pigs. There's still,
Speaker 0 00:13:19 Yeah, they'll get big. Yeah. Interesting. Okay. So how do you guys get animals? How does that happen? I don't understand.
Speaker 3 00:13:29 Well, a lot of different ways. Um, for animal control, we'll bring us some animals that they find on the streets or, um, that are surrendered or, um, most of a lot of them will be surrendered to us. So like for instance, if somebody can't take care of their animal anymore, for any particular reason, I'm not going to mention any reasons because there's a number of different reasons. Um, they'll, they'll bring their animals to us. Um, and then, um, there's also other ways that we take care of animals. Like our moms last litter program, where we intake, uh, my mother, um, who's had puppies and, uh, the, the person can't really afford the puppies anymore, uh, or take care of the puppies. So what we'll do is take intake, the mother and the puppies, and we'll, um, make sure the mother is spate and then do the same thing for the puppy spay and neuter Ireland. We'll send back the mother, right. And then we'll keep the puppies and adopt them out too. So we actually take care of them and, and take the full cost for that. So.
Speaker 0 00:14:28 Interesting. Very cool. Well, listen, Tanner gave me the signal. That means he's got his questions ready. So, uh, getting ready for the Mac CD minute, Tanner hit him with the max CT minute
Speaker 4 00:14:38 Question. Number one. What is it about animals and the SPCA that drove you to choose them as your first non-for-profit you work for?
Speaker 3 00:14:47 Um, honestly I was looking for different non-for-profits. There was two that I applied for and as PCA was the first one to come back to me and I set up that's a sign, I got to do it. So that was pretty much it. Yeah.
Speaker 4 00:15:00 Cool. Question number two. What has been the biggest surprise you've had in your time that you've worked with the SPCA?
Speaker 3 00:15:07 Oh, there's been so many surprises. Uh, just the, that the commitment of the people that are working there. Um, I was probably the biggest one, um, from anywhere from the kennel attendants, the care coordinators to, um, just the, the finance person. They they're all working quadruple jobs and not just the job titles that they have and they all do it for a lower pay, but because they love the animals. It's amazing.
Speaker 4 00:15:34 Question number three. What is your favorite part of working with a nonprofit within the community of Fort McMurray?
Speaker 3 00:15:42 Uh, probably that watching the reaction from the Fort McMurray community itself, it's pretty all inspiring. Honestly, like when we, uh, throw out the Betty White challenge, for instance, and raised over $11,000, like I just, just unheard of like, this is awesome. Last year we were struggling because we couldn't do any, um, um, programs or, or I couldn't do any events. So what we ended up doing was having to do a call out that was just before I got there. And, um, we ended up raising over a hundred thousand dollars from the community. Like, it's just unbelievable. Like the people in this community are amazing. Wow.
Speaker 4 00:16:22 Question number four. What is one service? People might be surprised to find out the SPCA provides?
Speaker 3 00:16:29 Um, probably our Ash program. Um, so our Ash program is basically intakes some animals that, uh, um, where their, their families can, no law are, can't handle them for instance, um, because they're going in to get treatment, they are escaping from abusive relationship, whatever the situation is. Um, we'll take care of them for a month for them while they get resettled. So it's, it's actually, once again, we're not just about the animals, we're also about the community itself. So,
Speaker 4 00:17:02 And your final question, what is one thing you're most excited for on the upcoming calendar year? Working with the SPCA?
Speaker 3 00:17:11 Uh, honestly, I'm really excited about our events because this is, we're doing a bunch of micro events this year, which is something that's really not heard of for the SPCA, because we're basically breaking it down to two events a month, which is huge, just because we need these small dollars donations to make up for these large dollar donations that we're missing. So yeah,
Speaker 4 00:17:33 Those have been your five questions.
Speaker 0 00:17:35 It's kind of crazy. Um, and you, you get to see this in real life. You, you talked about the passion that people who work at non-for-profits have in regards to like my prior to doing all of this, um, I used to work in oil and gas and I was HR for companies. And, uh, it's hard to get employees on board to do stuff sometimes, and you're paying them a large amount of money and you're just like, Hey, this is new policy. There's no procedure. This is safety. Like whatever it may be. And it's, it's a struggle. And then I've had the honor of like working with the law and for not-for-profits in town. And you start seeing, like you said, these employees who were there and you know, they're not getting paid much, but like you say, Hey guys, this is what we're doing. And it was like, let's do it. And like, Hey, I know you're already like doing four jobs, but I got another thing to ask. Okay, I'll do it. Like, it's really on inspiring.
Speaker 3 00:18:22 It really is. And honestly, mostly ideas, um, that the SPCA has comes from its people. And that's another part that I'm, I'm really passionate about as well. Um, like the people have really pushed the narrative this year for smaller events and I really ran with it and it was because that's what they wanted to do. Right. And so they, they took on all of these extra duties just to get these smaller events done. So, yeah, you're right. It's, it's, it's amazing. Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:18:51 Listen, my man, we're at the end of the show though, but I know time flies. I have a bunch more questions and hopefully please come back again and again, um, uh, leading up to any events that you have come back on the show. Um, we'd love to have you back. If there's other people that work at the SPCA that you feel would be good spokespeople as well. Please tell them to like, Hey, it's not that hard conversation. Um, but before I cut you loose, everybody gets a shameless. Shout out our plugs and lights are on. The mikes are on. Camera's on you.
Speaker 3 00:19:18 Excellent. Yeah. I just want everyone to, to, to really look at our events calendar this year, we have a lot of sponsorships available and, uh, coming up right away is our Fort McMurray, um, locked, locked into the kennel event. And, uh, we're still looking for people that are willing to be locked in the kennel or that, uh, want to sponsor the event. So, um, please come up and, uh, or email me at I E D at Fort McMurray, spca.ca. Thank you.
Speaker 0 00:19:47 Cool. Awesome. Well, Fort McMurray, wood, Buffalo, and the rest of the world. That's been another episode of the Mac CD morning show. Thank you so much for tuning in. It really does mean the world to me. I hope you're having a great day and we'll see you tomorrow face.
Speaker 5 00:20:00 I just dies that this is another maximum morning show Dawn.
Speaker 6 00:20:17 Yeah. Talk about quenching your ugly thirst.
