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, our organization underwent a name change from Strays That Can’t Pay to the Southwestern Manitoba Animal Rescue Team (SMART) — a fresh identity to reflect the work ahead while honouring the past. We maintained the existing policies and programs that had been built over the years, and our small team worked hard to continue providing the same level of care and support. Our mission was rooted in compassion, and our hope was to carry on offering spay/neuter services, pet food support, owner assistance, and rescue for stray and surrendered animals — even after the challenges of COVID-19.
We focused on building respectful, ongoing relationships with First Nations communities throughout southwestern Manitoba. Our work was grounded in fostering mutual respect and helping address animal welfare concerns by providing accessible resources, continuous food delivery, and emergency support to pet owners and animals in need.
Why We Need Your Help Now
Unfortunately, a mix of challenges — including the COVID-19 pandemic and issues with the name change paperwork — resulted in the loss of our charitable 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 $9,000 in debt from:
Veterinary care for injured or sick animals
Kennel 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. We want to close our doors with peace of mind and ensure that we honour all outstanding commitments and maintain the relationships we've built with local businesses and service providers in good faith.
While we’ve continued to fundraise on our own, recent 50/50 ticket sales have slowed down, and overall fundraising efforts haven’t brought in enough to cover our remaining debt. That’s why we’re turning to our community and launching this GoFundMe campaign — to ask for your help in crossing the finish line.
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
Organizer
