Part of the community service learning project, this wall shows all of what makes Parachutes For Pets a great way to help out the community. All of those pets are what made The Landing Pad possible. (Megan Bell, CMRU.ca)
I’ve always wondered where pets go in time of crisis. Whether they could end up in an adoption centre or worse. That is why I sat down with Brandon Montague, The Landing Pad lead and safety coordinator at Parachutes For Pets.
The Landing Pad offers a community centred model for pet care in Calgary. Parachutes For Pets operates the daycare & boarding, and grooming facility as part of its mission to support families and keep animals safe during times of crisis. The Landing Pad space provides everyday services for pet owners, and it’s revenue helps fund other pets in the organization’s safekeeping program. “Every daycare dog that comes in gives us an opportunity to help more safekeeping dogs.” Brandon Montague says.
Personalized care for every animal
The Landing Pad has an array of amenities, including grooming, cat boarding, enrichment activities, themed events and more. Montague says the team focuses on a calm, individualized atmosphere; “If your dog doesn’t get along in a pack, we can set it up so they can have their one-on-one time instead of being in a big group.”
Staff conduct daily health checks, play calming music and keep cats separated from dogs to enforce a safe space for all pets during their safekeeping stay. Their approach aligns with Parachutes For Pets’ wider mission to create reassuring environments for pets and their families. More information about the organization’s programs is available on the Parachutes For Pets website, including volunteer opportunities.
Why The Landing Pad matters
The facility’s purpose extends beyond traditional pet care. It supports families navigating emergencies by keeping pets safe until owners can reunite with them. Their work reinforces the organization’s long-term commitment to community care.
Ways you can support
Found on Parachutes For Pets program information and volunteer guidelines.
- Volunteer for dog walks, cat enrichment or general support.
- Drop off pet food or supplies.
- Use daycare or boarding services to help fund safekeeping placements.
- Attend community events such as seasonal parties or craft days.
- Share the organization’s mission with local pet owners.
- Donate! Every dollar counts.
Personal Reflection
Working on this multimedia project allowed me to see the impact that community-based animal support can have on both pets and families. Visiting The Landing Pad, interviewing Brandon Montague and witnessing the calm environment they work so hard to create gave me a deeper understanding of how essential these services are. It reminded me that compassionate care is rarely accidental, it is built, maintained and constantly improved.
I also feel that creating media content for Parachutes For Pets contributes in a meaningful way. By producing video, writing and digital storytelling elements they can repurpose, I hope their message reaches people who might not have known about the safekeeping program or the affordable daycare options. If even one family feels more supported because of this project, then the work was worthwhile.
This assignment also taught me more about responsible reporting, CP Style and how digital storytelling can elevate a community organization’s voice. It reinforced the idea that journalism and service learning can work hand in hand. More than anything, it showed me how powerful it is when a community unites around keeping pets and people together.
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