About Us
est. 2008
Registered Canadian Society #847488269RR001
Mission and Focus
Angel's Animal Rescue Society acts on behalf of animals who are abandoned, abused, neglected, and injured. We have been rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals across the Thompson Nicola Regional District and beyond since 2008. As a registered Canadian charity run entirely by volunteers, every ounce of energy and every dollar goes directly toward giving animals the second chance they deserve. We exist because we believe that no animal should be discarded, and that with patience, compassion, and the right support, even the most broken spirit can heal.
Our Story
Angel's Animal Rescue Society was born from heartbreak — named for the dog who started it all. In 2008, a devastating car accident claimed two lives and critically injured one. Her dog, Angel, survived the crash but suffered severe injuries that required the amputation of his front leg. A few caring people, with no experience in fundraising or animal rescue, set up outside a local grocery store to raise money for the injured dog (Angel’s) veterinary bills. What they heard from the community that day changed everything.
One by one, people stopped to share stories of other animals suffering from abandonment, abuse, and neglect across the region. They learned that animal protection services were stretched impossibly thin — just two investigators covering a vast territory from Blue River to Hope — leaving countless animals without help. The need was overwhelming, and it was hiding in plain sight.
Weeks later, the survivor reached out from the hospital. Both she and Angel had undergone amputations — Angel his front leg, the survivor her arm. When the rescuers went to check on Angel, they found him chained to a short lead beside a doghouse too small for him to even enter. Despite everything he had survived, Angel was right back where he started — suffering and forgotten.
That moment — standing there, looking at a three-legged dog chained up in conditions no animal should endure — was the moment Angel's Animal Rescue Society came to life. What began as a few caring people helping one dog has grown into a rescue that has said "yes" to thousands more since 2008, taking in hundreds of animals each year and giving them something they may have never known before: safety, compassion, and a real chance at a better life.
What Makes Angel's Different
Most rescues do incredible, life-saving work — but Angel's operates a little differently, and that difference matters. We take the dogs that nobody else will. The large, untrained, traumatized animals that other organizations don't have the capacity or resources to help — those are the ones we say "yes" to. And we approach their recovery in a way that reflects what we've learned over nearly two decades of rescue work.
At Angel's, dogs are never crated or confined to small spaces. Our residents are housed together, walked together, and given the freedom to find comfort in the companionship of other dogs. We've seen firsthand that animals heal faster and more completely when they're not isolated — when they have a furry friend beside them as they work through the fear and trauma of their past. Except in rare circumstances, no dog at Angel's is left on their own.
Our shelter is home to up to 50 dogs at any given time, many of which will graduate into foster homes throughout the community. Each animal is given high quality meals, veterinary care, plenty of exercise, and — most importantly — time. Time to decompress, time to learn that humans can be trusted, and time to simply be a dog again. We don't rush the process, because every animal's journey is different.
Beyond rescue and rehoming, Angel's Animal Rescue Society runs a Compassionate Care Program that supports both animals and people in crisis. We provide temporary care for pets belonging to individuals in hospital, recovery, or women's shelters — ensuring that no one has to choose between their own safety and the safety of their animal. We also work with children and community members through education opportunities that highlight the special bond between humans and animals.
Angel's Animal Rescue Society is proof that saying "yes" — even when it's hard, even when resources are stretched thin — can change everything. For the animals, for the families who adopt them, and for the community that rallies around them.
Your Support Matters
Everything Angel's does is made possible by the generosity of people who believe these animals deserve better. With an average cost of $1,000 per animal taken in, and more requests for help coming in every year, your support is what allows us to keep saying "yes." Whether it's a one-time gift or an ongoing contribution, every dollar goes directly toward veterinary care, food, shelter, and giving these animals the time and love they need to find their way to a forever home.
We'd Love to Hear From You
Have a question about Angel's Animal Rescue, our programs, or the work we do? Drop us a line below and a member of our volunteer team will get back to you.