‘Love at first sight’: furry Tuque finds new home
Adopting a furry friend is an option that is offered at Algonquin, and for anyone searching for a cat or dog, it could be just a short walk away.
The veterinary technicians offer animals, such as cats and dogs, for adoption through their program. They receive animals from Outaouais’s SPCA, which allows the college to do some of their adoptions.
All of the pets are neutered, micro-chipped and vaccinated at the college.
The animals help veterinary technician students get the experience they need by learning basic care like vaccinations, surgery and other skills.
But beyond that, the facility is also a place where any potential pet owner can adopt a rescue animal.
Jill Reeves is one. After her older sons were off to university, her youngest son Oliver was left at home. He suggested they get a small dog in addition to the family — and so the search for their furry friend began.
Reeves got in touch with the veterinary technician program coordinator and asked if they could adopt a small dog. She was looking for a pet that is socialized and easy for people to approach.
They sent her a photo of a mixed pug and dachshund dog that was a rescue from the streets. Both Reeves and her son visited the brown-furred dog at the college and took her for a walk.
“She just fit the bill,” said Reeves.
They couldn’t wait to make a decision because dogs get adopted at the college very quickly. They named her Tuque.
When paying the fee, they received food, toys and 45 days of free pet insurance when the adoption became official.
The adoption fee is sent to Outaouais’s SPCA to support running the shelter.
The first night Tuque stayed at the Reeves’, Tuque jumped onto the bed and burrowed her way under the covers. She has done that ever since.
Tuque also gets along with their elderly golden retriever, Sirius Black, who is a rescue dog as well.
“When you’re rescuing an animal and you take that step of going beyond seeing something on a website to actually visiting the animal. I’m pretty much sunk at that point,” said Reeves.
“It was love at first sight if you want to call it that.”
