Southwestern Manitoba Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.)

Help Us Close SMART with Dignity — Support Our Final Fundraising Effort

For over a decade, our animal rescue organization — first known as Strays That Can’t Pay and later as the Southwestern Manitoba Animal Rescue Team (SMART) — has served vulnerable animals and the communities who care for them.

In 2020, we underwent a major transformation: new volunteers and a Board of Directors came together to revitalize the organization. We updated our policies, expanded our foster and food assistance programs, strengthened vetting procedures, and worked hard to build respectful, ongoing relationships with First Nations communities across southwestern Manitoba. Our mission was rooted in compassion — providing spay/neuter services, pet food, owner support, and rehoming stray or surrendered animals.

We chose the name SMART to honour the original founder’s legacy while also reflecting our renewed vision and values. Our focus was always clear: respond where the need was greatest and do everything in our power to prevent suffering, neglect, and abandonment.

Why We Need Your Help Now

Unfortunately, in the years that followed, a mix of challenges — including the COVID-19 pandemic and paperwork issues during our name change — led to the loss of our charity status. With fewer volunteers and limited resources, we’ve made the difficult decision to close SMART.

But before we can close our doors with peace of mind, we need your help.

We are currently carrying approximately $8,000 in debt from veterinary care for injured or sick animals and boarding fees.

As of now, we no longer have animals in our care, and we are working to pay off these outstanding debts so we can dissolve the organization responsibly and ethically.

Where Your Donation Goes

Every dollar raised will go directly toward paying off our remaining debts — no salaries, no admin fees — just closing out the books with integrity. Any surplus (should we be so lucky!) will be donated to another registered animal rescue organization in the region that continues this important work.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Story

Whether you adopted a pet through us, donated food or funds, volunteered your time, or simply followed our journey — thank you. SMART may be coming to an end, but the legacy of love and care that so many animals received because of your support lives on.

Please consider donating to help us wrap up this chapter with the same compassion and responsibility that defined our mission from the beginning.

With heartfelt thanks,
The SMART Team

Our Current Fundraisers

✨ Every fundraiser contributes to our GoFundMe total, helping us cover remaining vet and kennel bills and close SMART with responsibility, dignity, and gratitude toward the businesses and service providers who have supported us for years.