What began as a high-school volunteer commitment has grown into a province-wide animal rescue effort — and recently earned Stonewall resident Desiree recognition as a Community Hero during a Winnipeg Jets game.
Stonewall’s Desiree, founder of Grateful Friends Animal Rescue, was recognized as a Community Hero during a Winnipeg Jets game for her volunteer work rescuing and caring for animals across Manitoba
Desiree, founder of Grateful Friends Animal Rescue, said the honour felt both surprising and meaningful.
“I felt proud of what I’ve created knowing that it’s made a positive impact within the province and felt honoured to have been selected and for my volunteer work to be acknowledged by the Winnipeg Jets organization,” she said.
For the rescue’s volunteers, she added, the recognition affirmed years of behind-the-scenes effort.
“The recognition validates the efforts and tireless energy we put into the rescue and that everything we are doing is making a difference.”
Her journey began in 2017 while attending Teulon Collegiate, where she joined the Helping Hands social justice committee and started volunteering with animal rescues. After several years building connections and experience, she launched Grateful Friends Animal Rescue in April 2020.
Six years later, the foster-based, 100-per-cent volunteer-run non-profit has grown dramatically, with thousands of online followers and a dedicated website.
The organization relies entirely on donations and fundraising to operate and has saved approximately 3,000 animals across Manitoba while spending more than $665,000 on veterinary and rescue-related expenses.
In 2021 the rescue took in 358 animals and spent $86,000. In 2022 that climbed to 550 animals and $104,000 in care. Since 2023, the rescue has consistently helped about 600 animals annually, with yearly costs ranging between $138,000 and $178,000.
“The more donations we receive the more animals in need we can bring into the rescue to care for and adopt out to their forever homes,” Desiree said.
Roughly 70 per cent of the animals are cats and 30 per cent dogs, largely depending on foster availability.
Daily operations can include arranging veterinary appointments, coordinating animal transport from northern communities or out of province, handling adoption logistics, and responding to calls for injured animals. The rescue frequently responds to situations in Stonewall, Stony Mountain, Teulon and surrounding rural municipalities, including stray animals, emergency injuries and rehoming litters.
One recent local call stands out. A passerby contacted the rescue after a cat was struck by a vehicle near Red Sun Gas Bar on Hwy. 236. Desiree rushed from home in Stonewall and transported the animal to an emergency veterinary clinic. Although the injuries were too severe and the cat had to be humanely euthanized, the rescue covered roughly $1,000 in care.
“It wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for but at least he received care and didn’t suffer very long,” she said. “This example highlights that the work the rescue’s doing is making a difference even if we can’t save all the animals in need.”
In recent years the rescue has expanded beyond adoptions, hosting community spay-and-neuter and vaccination clinics and partnering with Petland Canada stores across Manitoba to offer adoptable cats.
Currently, the organization is running a 50/50 raffle fundraiser with a March 15 draw date. Tickets are $5 each, with a potential $3,750 prize if all tickets are sold. Proceeds will support daily operations including food, supplies and medical treatment — particularly urgent cases such as Laa Laa, a cat requiring $2,000 FIP treatment, and Gretel, a Saint Bernard needing approximately $1,500 in heartworm care.
Tickets can be purchased by emailing GFAR.raffle@gmail.com and sending an e-transfer to the same address, in person at Teulon & District Seniors Resource, 54 Main St., Teulon, or by calling or texting Cherise at 204-886-7018.
Community members can also support the rescue by fostering or adopting animals, volunteering at events, donating supplies such as food and litter, or sharing social media posts to raise awareness.
After years of growth, Desiree said the mission remains simple: help as many animals as possible. The Jets recognition may have shone a spotlight on her work — but she hopes it ultimately shines one on the animals still waiting for homes.
