Our Story

It all started with one vacation to Dominican Republic -Cousins, Lucia and Linda heard about an amazing rescue organization in Punta Cana, Rescatame, who spay/neuter and further care for local street dogs. We decided to ask for donations in our hometown that we could bring to them, and the response was overwhelming! We had two suitcases filled to the brim with leashes, collars, toys, treats, etc. excited to be able to help!

Once in Dominican Republic, the founder of the rescue, Sylvia, picked us up at our resort for a day of doing her typical rounds (already with one pup in tow, ready to go the airport and fly to her forever home in America). What an eye-opening day that was for us!

We started the day by dropping off food to locals who feed the street dogs. This is typically done once a week or when they let her know that they are starting to get low.

Then we went on to the beach where there are many local shops for tourists. One of the residing beach dogs had been bitten by another dog and had developed a severe infection. He was scared and in pain, but it was up to Sylvia and us to capture him safely and bring him to the vet. It was a heart-wrenching struggle, and with some help of some shop owners, we got him in his crate and into the truck ready to go.

On the way to the vet, we stopped for one more patient going in for a routine checkup. She was a young puppy, lucky enough to have been rescued and staying with a foster family until she was old enough to fly to her forever home. Once there, we were introduced to a few other rescue dogs being held for treatment, one of whom ended up being our very first Fairy Tail Dog Rescue pup to come to Canada just under a year later!

We went on to feed dozens of more street animals. As soon as they would see Sylvia’s truck coming, everyone would start running over, tails wagging-and it wasn’t just the dogs who were excited to see her, but the cats, geese, and chickens too!

We were overwhelmed with the compassion and tirelessness of Sylvia and the local community. These people really put their hearts and souls into the work they do, but sometimes it seems like an endless battle with more and more puppies being born in the streets every day.

For the rest of our vacation, we sat on the beach every day seeing many stray dogs and cats, feeding them food and treats we had bought at the store, and occasionally sneaking a napkin full of goodies from the buffet. We knew we couldn’t go back to Canada and do nothing when there were so many animals in need.

It wasn’t until we were back in Ottawa and met with our friend, and fellow animal lover, Wendy, that we came up with the idea of Fairy Tail Dog Rescue. Wendy had already been supporting a few other rescues from the Caribbean, she had even rescued two potcakes! She was just as excited and passionate about the idea, and we decided we needed to start a rescue that would help other rescues in the Caribbean facilitate adoptions in Canada and assist in the travel procedure.
We feel so lucky to have this opportunity to be able to help the Caribbean animals in need, and we truly appreciate all our supporters, because without you we wouldn’t be able to help them!!