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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 12, 2016 | 4 OMHS reaches out to pets in Fort McMurray wildfires continued from p.1 litter to the area. It put out a call on Friday, asking residents to help in anyway they can, including money donations. Lisa Ashby, OMHS manager of fund development, told the Oakville Beaver the response was overwhelming as car after car showed up at the OMHS office on Cornwall Road full of love for those affected by the wildfires -- and urgently-needed pet supplies as many Fort McMurray evacuees were forced to leave their pets behind. Two five-tonne trucks have been filled and $35,000 has been collected to give to EHS for the Fort McMurray wildfire disaster relief for the animals. "People from all over Ontario brought donations," Ashby said. "The London, Burlington and Etobicoke humane societies and Hamilton SPCA all brought trucks full of supplies from their communities." One individual donated more than $5,000 to match any monetary donations while one couple dropped by to donate their holiday money, she added. "A young boy emptied his piggy bank and donated the contents -- $3.85," Ashby described, noting, based on the look on his face, you could tell it took him a long time to save. Shane Klooster who helped organize rescue supplies. They were loaded onto two trucks Monday morning and will be transported to the EHS by Cam-Scott Transport in Whitby, Ont. Shurguard Self Storage also supplied OMHS with boxes to pack all the items onto the fivetonne trucks. Ashby said they're extremely thankful for all of the volunteers who took the time to unload the vehicles, sort and box donations. "There is hope for the animals affected by the wildfires," she said. "So many families were given moments to flee and others were not able to return home to rescue their pets because major roads were closed. However, animals are miraculously fire-smart and it's been proven they often manage to get out and find a safe place. Cats especially tend to hide in closed-in spaces, which can save them from the flames and because they are low to the ground where there is the most oxygen, many survive." The Edmonton Humane Society and the Animal Care & Control Centre Edmonton are working closely with the Alberta SPCA and the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association to assist evacuees and their companion animals who have been displaced due to the Fort McMurray wildfires, she added. They are also organizing a rescue for as soon as they are able to safely enter the area, Ashby said. For more information, visit www.omhs.ca. The Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) has been working with the Edmonton Humane Society to collect urgently-needed supplies for companion animals affected by the wildfires in Alberta. On Monday (May 9), volunteers and staff loaded a five-tonne truck with items donated by the Oakville and Milton communities, The Burlington Humane Society, London Humane Society and the SPCA of Hamilton. Pictured, OMHS volunteer Monica Hutchinson wheels a trolley of donated pet food to the truck, as others load a skid. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) She said there are so many wonderful stories to share and so many animal lovers in the community who have stepped up to help the animals in need. Behind the scenes, she noted, the collection would've never been made possible if it weren't for staff from Power Link Expedite Courier & Expedite Services in Milton and volunteer ALL YOU CAN EAT THE SUMMER HEAT IS COMING NOW IS THE TIME TO REPLACE YOUR FURNACE AND AIR CONDITIONER! $ Lunch or Dinner DiNe iN foR AllYou cAN eAt UP TO WITH CARRIER IN REbATES CASH COOL 1,715 APPLEBY SYSTEMS Delivering Home Comfort from our family to yours sinCe 1967 *Limited Time offer. O.A.C. See store for details. 10 YEAR PARTS & LABOUR WARRANTY* We Service All Makes of Central Air Conditioners and Gas Furnaces LE B A U VAL PON COU& SAVE CLIP Count on the professionals to ensure your system keeps you cool all summer long. Have a system tune-up on your furnace, air conditioner and or fireplace and receive up to $45.00 off. Limited time offer and cannot be combined with any other offer. MAINTENANCE OFFER · 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE · QUALIFIED MECHANICS · QUALITY WORKMANSHIP 280 North Service Road W. @ Dorval 905-338-6228 10% oFF Dinner only. cash only & with this ad. APPLEBY SYSTEMS FIREPLACE, HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS www.august8.ca SHOWROOM 2086 Speers Rd. Oakville Mon - Fri 8AM - 5PM Saturday 11AM - 4PM SHOWROOM PHONE 24 hr hotline OAKVILLE 905-825-1893 BURLINGTON 905-335-3203 HAMILTON 905-540-9153 905-825-1929 www.applebysystems.ca