AARCS is a safe haven that serves as both an animal shelter and a community veterinary clinic, offering support for rescued pets and those awaiting adoption or foster placement in Calgary. The facility relies on public donations, which can be dropped off in the bins outside the building. (Anjeh Mercado, CMRU.ca)
Calgary’s AARCS rescues, fosters, and rehomes animals in need
The Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) is taking in more homeless animals as intake pressures grow. The Calgary-based non-profit rescues and rehomes dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals through its shelter and foster network. “Our mission is to rescue and re-home animals in need,” says communications specialist Kayli McClelland.
Rescue, foster, and adoption
AARCS receives animals through reserve communities, volunteers, municipal partners, and outreach programs. Each animal gets an immediate veterinary exam. When a foster home is available, the animal enters care and receives any medical or behavioral support needed. After quarantine, animals are listed for adoption and matched with suitable families.
“We see them at their worst when they come in, and their best when they leave,” McClelland says. She encourages people to foster or adopt, emphasizing that volunteers’ and adopters’ main role is to make animals feel safe and loved. AARCS covers all medical care, food, and supplies, making it easier for volunteers and adopters to focus on care and connection.
Community impact
AARCS works with several partners, including other rescues, municipal programs, and veterinary clinics. The Canadian Animal Task Force and local vets step in when AARCS’ in-house hospital can’t handle every case.
“Everyone in the community plays a role in animal welfare. It’s a team effort,” says McClelland.
Through these partnerships, AARCS impacts both animals and people. Recently, the group ran a vaccine clinic in local communities, helping nearly 200 dogs in a single day. “We return to provide spay/neuter surgeries and follow-up care. It’s powerful to see the ripple effect these one-day clinics create,” McClelland says.
Volunteers keep AARCS running
“Volunteers are truly the heart of AARCS,” McClelland says. The shelter relies on two-hour rotating shifts. Dogs receive morning, lunch, and evening care, while cats and critters have morning and evening routines.
Volunteers support animal care, cleaning, donation sorting, administrative tasks, and fostering. They also help run major events, including Kenneled for a Cause, the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. “ We could not operate without volunteers. Everything we do is built from the ground up with volunteer support,” McClelland adds.
Anyone can volunteer for one or two shifts a month. Roles include:
- Dog caregivers
- Cat caregivers
- Critter caregivers
- Inventory volunteers
- Veterinary hospital support
- Event and fundraising volunteers
- Transportation volunteers
More information is available on the AARCS website.
Personal Reflection
Working with AARCS showed me the true impact of volunteering. “Volunteers are the heart of our organization,” McClelland said, and I witnessed this firsthand. Caring for animals carries a unique responsibility. Hearing their stories—some heartbreaking—was deeply moving. Knowing AARCS provides safety, care, and a path to forever homes warmed my heart.
Growing up with pets made this project even more meaningful. Filming the animals and interviewing Kayli helped me understand the organization on a deeper level. I also connected with volunteers like Greg, whose passion for helping AARCS showed how volunteering changes lives.
This project challenged me creatively and technically, especially filming in real-time situations. Volunteers were patient and comfortable with me capturing their work during busy shifts. Their energy motivated me to keep pace and gather footage that truly reflects how AARCS operates.
I hope to work on similar projects in the future—raising awareness and supporting organizations that give animals the homes, love, and care they deserve.
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