The love lives on for Ethan Boyer and his love for pets.
In October 2019, Boyer of Balmoral was 19 years old when he lost his life in a traffic crash at Brady Road.
His mom Sue, dad Dana and brother Reid keep his memory alive and turn their pain into purpose by collecting donations for pets.
The legacy fund The Ethan Boyer Memorial Fund — Tin for the Critter Bin was set up through the Interlake Community Foundation. It aims to provide an annual grant to one or more pet charities chosen by the Boyer family in Ethan’s memory to support a cause that was close to his heart.
The family is continuing with their fourth annual October donation drive. Through this initiative, they’re collecting pet food and other items needed by animal rescues.
Locally, food and toy donations can be dropped off at Quarry Pets in Stonewall throughout the month of October. In Winnipeg, the PetValu locations on Marion Street and Lakeview Boulevard are also on board for donation drop-offs.
This year, the Boyers sold T-shirts with a picture of Ethan and his dog Thanos on the front.
An animal lover at heart, Ethan maintained a special bond with his dog Thanos, as well as any other critters that crossed his path.
“Sadly, Thanos passed away Jan. 20, 2021, from cancer. We like to think Ethan just wanted his bestest buddy to join him in heaven,” Sue said.
Both Quarry Pets and Pet Valu owners have generously purchased T-shirts for their staff to wear during October.
The profits from the T-shirt sales will be rolled back into Tin for the Critter Bin.
“The T-shirt will help raise awareness to the ongoing pet rescue crisis in Manitoba and throughout Canada,” Dana said. “More has to be done by all levels of government and local authorities to assist in the overpopulation of critters in many northern areas.”
To find out how to donate to the Ethan Boyer Memorial Fund – Tin for the Critter Bin in memory of Ethan, visit the Interlake Community Foundation page at https://interlakefoundation.ca/cause/ways-to-give/ Donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt.
