There were no shelters of any kind for 250 miles. Twenty years later there
is still only Turtle Gardens. We have adopted over 4000 dogs since
inception; an average of 227 to 250 dogs per year.
20978 Severson Road
P.O 230 Topley, BC
V0J 2Y0
250-696-3188
email turtlegardens@gmail.com
Manager Yvette Labatte
©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.
I am looking for an Akita pup
I am going to be in your area next week so I will
call you. If you have one please hold it for me or if you
know where I can get one we can discuss that when I call
I met one of your workers in Aldergrove, that is where I live
I will be going to Smithers so I will call and maybe I can stop in
My ph# 604 308 5259
Thanks
August 22nd, 2008 | #
A few years ago I dropped off a few hundred pounds of food for Turtle Gardens at your daughter’s in Vancouver. when I was at Tisol’s the other day and asked if they had any food nearing expiry and they had several hundred pounds of dog food. Most rescues down here are OK for food, so wondered if you would be interested in it? Being from Tisol’s, it’s excellent quality. Is there a place I can drop it off in the Lower Mainland? I’m located in White Rock/South Surrey. If it’s helpful, I can keep asking for food.
I help out VOKRA occasionally and am awed by all that rescues accomplish with so few resources. I am considering getting a fund raising organization together (perhaps United Paws?) that would work like the United Way, but to assist animals. There are a lot of people who can’t do hands on rescue but love animals and would help out. Plus, it would give rescues a bigger voice. Rescues would be members, but their organizations would run just as they are and would continue their own fundraising, but hopefully something like United Paws would reach an as yet untapped market for donations and assistance.
September 3rd, 2008 | #
hi there, i was browsing through your page and saw jasmine. i am looking for a havanese or cross, have been talking to breeders, but feel that there are so many dogs that need homes, i’d rather find one that needs me. can you tell me anything about jasmine and her sister? thanks so much for your help and consideration!
Jordan
September 11th, 2008 | #
I was looking at your page and saw that there are 3 shepherd puppies that are going to need homes. My family is very intersted if you could provide more details as to when they will be available.I would rather rescue a puppy than go to a puppy mill. I hear there are alot of them and i don’t want to get sucked in again. Thank you so much for any info you can provide me with.
Tori
September 17th, 2008 | #
Hello:
We would like to Thank You very much for spaying Baby & Whitie. They Thank you also.God Bless Turtle Gardens.
From Joey & Marie
September 24th, 2008 | #
Not sure if this is correct place to contact you. I am in North Vancouver and I have a new exercise pen 48″ hi that I no longer use for my dog and wondered if you could use it .It is metal and quite sturdy and heavy. If you can use it I could deliiver it to Dave next time he is down or make other arrangements. Just let me know.
Suzanne
October 6th, 2008 | #
hi yvette
we are looking for a lab or a lab cross puppy. i see that you have some on you webpage and i was wondering what you can tell us about them. or even about the little black and white puppy that looks like she could be a collie that is on the same page as the lab cross puppies. a week or so ago we visited your site and you had a little yellow puppy in a photo, shw was a terrier cross? maybe interested in an adoption, as past clients of yours, we adopted one of heathers pups, kyla, she has become a great part of our lives and a very well rounded loving member of our family, she however is in need of a friend to keep her company and we were hoping you could help fill the void. looking forward to hearing from you. Bob and Sadie
October 19th, 2008 | #
Hi, I was checking your site again today, and noticed your report that Juno was back and looking for a new home. I would appreciate if you could give me some information about Juno. I have experience with a Shiba Inu (my previous Shiba lived to be almost 14) and love the breed. I have been looking for a new companion and would like to know if maybe Juno and I would suit.
I would appreciate any information you have about Juno, and would be happy to provide you with any information you need from me.
Thank you.
November 7th, 2008 | #
Hi Yvette,
I was going to send some update pics of Luna for you, but can’t find your email address, can you send it?
Thanks
November 13th, 2008 | #
Hi Yvette, Shelley here from Vancouver. I sent you a little gift a few weeks ago and was wondering if you received it yet… I used the address above… Cheers, Shelley
November 22nd, 2008 | #
Hi, Yvette. I am interested in seeing if you still have Ripley. I sent an e-mail but have had no response.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Matthew
November 24th, 2008 | #
Hi yvette, I am still looking for a shepard or shepard cross pup. Let me know if you have one or if anyone out there has them as well. Thanks
December 4th, 2008 | #
I am still looking for an akita
Please let me know if or when you get one
December 21st, 2008 | #
Is it still needed Yvette? I will do it in CHilliwack..
I noticed you had not been on BW..
December 25th, 2008 | #
Hi there, I heard about the puppys that are available (12 in total) from the website for Bully Buddies (in Vancouver). I contacted them and they referred me to you. I understand that the puppy’s are coming down to Vancouver? Please contact me if you can let me know more and if you are able to set up home visits in Vancouver.
Noah
January 2nd, 2009 | #
Hi Yvette…I’m the one who came and looked at Willow the other day…How is she doing? Did you get her into the vet and what did they say if you did? My kid talked about her the whole ride home even though they were alittle scared of all the other dogs.
We are really interested in her. We were just wondering about her eyes..If the surgery is a fix or if they will be a ongoing condition she will have?
I would love to hear from you more about her. I just keep looking at her pictures on the site…She is so adorable I can’t help it.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Annie
February 6th, 2009 | #
hey it is me Denise. I have a The friend who is intresed in the silver wrinkled girl:
When will she be available or is she already spoken for?
February 6th, 2009 | #
We lost our dog on February 24,2009, her name is jamie, she is about 13 months old. She is neutered, very very friendly, shepard/setter mix, black shiny long fur with white and tan neck belly and legs, short ears, with a scar on right paw,long furry tail.
I will send you pics by regular email. 2508495250
po box 313, kitwanga, bc v0j2a0
heinz and sabrina goetz
April 8th, 2009 | #
Hi Yvette,
I’m wondering if you might be able to email me…my partner and I moved to Terrace this past summer and have been doing some local dog rescue work out of our home. A long-time goal of ours, we sort of stumbled upon rescuing earlier than we had planned…but now that we’ve started we realize it’s definately the right time.
I was hoping you might be open to chatting with me about rescue work up north (we came from down south, and some of the things we’ve seen/heard up here have been a bit of a culture shock in terms of animal care). We would love to visit you in Topley and possibly ask you some questions about doing this kind of work….
If you have a chance, maybe you could email me and I could send you some questions? No hurry…but I think you seem like an excellent resource for people like Matt & I who are eager to find like-minded folks interested in animal rescue.
Thanks so much!
April 20th, 2009 | #
Hello,
Having spent the last year preparing my life to take on a new family member, I am finally at the stage of seeking the appropriate companion. With a clear understanding of all the responsibilities involved, I have taken the steps to set up a support system of alternative care for him/her while I am at work, have established a savings account for medical bills, and sought out a tenancy agreement that allows dogs. I have not had a dog on my own before, yet understand all the challenges involved from caring for my family dog growing up (severely missed Chester, mix of shepherd/pointer/coonhound? boy…lived a long and happy life until his stomach turned on itself in late 2007). Though no-one will ever replace Chester, it breaks my heart knowing there are so many needing souls out there. Given my lifestyle and situation, I am seeking a mid-sized companion to accompany me on hikes and be a family member in my new home. Having read over many of your blogs, I am very supportive of what you do. If you have any ideas or anyone comes into your care that may be a suitable fit, please keep me in mind.
Warm Regards and Recognition to You!
Kim
April 24th, 2009 | #
Hi!!! i am a Victoria girl who is very interested in Noah if you ever feel he can be rehabilitated for “human” life. I had gone through the application process at bully buddies, and had been contacted by the foster mom to talk about poor Noah’s state. She informed me that he was very petrified of people, but happy with dogs, and that he was headed to your wonderful sanctuary…I missed my opportunity to meet him in person, as he was sent off later on in the evening that Holly and i spoke. I still can’t get the little guys story out of my mind. i rescued my dog Joa about 7 years ago, and it took two years to properly recover from his anxiety, but now he’s the most loveable and wanted dog!!! I will definately stay tuned to the blog…but if you could make a special note to keep him in the spot light that would be fantastic!! And keep me in mind if he wants a home!!!
250 216 6015
April 28th, 2009 | #
hello!! I am curious about your dog Spook?? Is he available for adoption. We have been lookin to find the perfect rescue for our home! We have a collie lab x and 3 persian cats. Please let me know! 250 516 7252
April 28th, 2009 | #
Hello!
We are starting our quest for a furry family member. My husband and I are both life-ling dog owners, and we have now waited for what seems like forever to do this. We have been dogless for about 3 years now, and are willing to be patient to make the right match for our family. We have 2 kids – 5 and 2 who both love and are used to dogs. We have a good sized, fully fenced yard in the town of Smithers. We both work close to home, and I am remaining a part time worker until our youngest is in school. We would like a medium sized dog, and are partial to labs (this is not a deal breaker though). I decided to finally contact you (I’ve been lurking on your site for over a year now) because I’m interested in learning more about Curtis/Curly.
Thank you,
Tisha
May 1st, 2009 | #
Hello.
My boyfriend and I are currently looking and researching trying to find the next member to add to our family. I would much rather have a rescue dog than get one from a breeder. We have a cat and a 3 year old daughter and we’re quite social with friends and family members whom also own dogs. We need/want a dog that is good with other animals kids and other people.We live in Williams Lake, BC, and the place we’re in has a height limitation of 20 Inches maximum. I was wondering if you could please let me know or email me pictures of dogs you may have that are looking for a home and are 20 inches and under. I’m currently in Burns Lake visiting family, I come to Burns Lake quite often so it would be no problem to go to Turtle Gardens to look at dogs.
Thanx
May 12th, 2009 | #
Hi Yvette,
I just wanted to drop a line to find out how Frankie is doing in his new home? Any word? I am so thankful to you both for taking him and finding him a bird free home. I miss him, but I am sure he is making another family very, very happy. Thanks.
Carla Briggs
July 21st, 2009 | #
Hi Yvette. In 2006, we adopted Joe from you. I was going to download some pics for you to see, we took him to the river the other day, but I couldn’t find any way to do that. Joe is a very smart dog, but he needs to be chained when he goes out as he can jump our chain link fence with ease. The times he has gotten over, he runs off with a great doggie smile. He always comes back, after he has gone for his great run. Joe is the constant companion of our family, and he is so good to our other dog, Chuppa, a chiweenie we brought home as a tiny pup. Joe was very gentle with him as a baby and is still really good with him. Thank you for letting us adopt Joe, he has brought a lot to our lives.
July 28th, 2009 | #
Hi Yvette: I have been trying to figure out how to vote for your shelter. Among the 5 pages of shelters for BC I just don’t see Turtle Gardens or Topley. Let me know so I can vote. Gina
September 30th, 2009 | #
I would like to ask a general question of anyone out there. At the beginning of Nov. my husband and I are going to La Paz , Baha, Mexico for 6 months. We have a task to do for the Bahai’ Faith and are going to do a lot of getting to know Mexicans. We have been there before so it is no mystery what the culture is like. I am so sad that I cannot take my dog with me. Is it true that he would have to be in quarantine before coming back over the border?? We have a place for him to go but I’d rather take him with me. He is big but ever since we have gotten him he has gone everywhere with us and 6 months is a long time. Gina Smith
September 30th, 2009 | #
Hi I was just wondering how much do you guys update your page and I was wondering if you can contact me when you get new puppies because their are two that I had to give to you guys, our local dog catcher brought them to you, the ones I’m talking about are two fairly sized puppies they are 7 months old, one is very strong n big for a small puppies, n the other is very playful maybe just about an inch n a half smaller, they both probably going in with Camo collars, ones green, n the other is blue, because I don’t think Jamie knows their names, the one with the blue camo collar is Smirnoff, and the other is with a green camo collar, her name is Bear. So I was wondering if you can email me when they get there, and get a picture, because I wasn’t able to get a resent picture of them before they left. That would be great if you can. Thanks.. Casey Johsnon
October 13th, 2009 | #
Hello
I just wanted to thank you guys for taking our two puppies, Bear and Smirnoff..
We have been searching for a good spot to place them in to get the chance to find another loving family.
Both have had and still do have a big place in my heart and i am happy that they are going to a place where they can have fun with other dogs and get the chance to explore new things.
I am so heartbroken that they left but was very happy when i heard about you guys.
Casey broke the news to me at school and i started crying because i didn’t get the chance to say goodbye.
I hope that you find a good loving home for them like we had offered them here.
Sadly the apartment that we are going to move in doesn’t allow pets.
And we had no choice but to give them away.
We have been trying for so long that i was slowly starting to give up hope and eventually had to get them taken down.
But im very grateful that, that day did not come.
I believe that every animal should live a violence free and happy life.
Now my beautiful babies have the chance to grow old with a good family and good caretakers =]
Thank you =]
Thank you so Much
As Casey said. It would be great if you kept us updated about them and how they are doing.
It would give me a bit of relief..
Again
Thank you
Lots of Love
Melodye & Casey Johnson
October 13th, 2009 | #
Hello,
Is Maude, the grey cat adoptable please?
Also how old is she.
Thank you, Barbara Hafner
October 15th, 2009 | #
Hey i thought i would just let you know… those three females you picked up in moricetown they have names. we called them…. witch,princess & queen…. thought i would just let you know…. i miss them very much.
October 29th, 2009 | #
Dear All: Yvette said comments let her know someone is reading and I’d like her to know that I do read the website every day. Our big dog Badi (pronounced Buddy) is a rather stinky dog. We are going to Mexico for purposes other than recreation and we had found him a good place to stay for the 6 months. But my husband and I both found that we were thinking and dreaming about him walking home the 180 km. overland and probably dying on the journey just to find us. So we decided to take him with us with the help of the good vet in Burns Lake doing his shots and giving us good advice. So now Badi is becoming a world traveler. He always comes with us whenever we go any where and he thinks he owns the car already. When we get to Kelowna we will pick up my sister’s motorhome for the trip to Mexico and he will probably own that too. So it is a bit more work but our minds are at peace now . Gina Smith
November 5th, 2009 | #
Hi Yvette and Dave
I have been posting the info on the contest to the showdog lists, hope it has been helping!
Zoom is going for his neutering next week, he is a very good boy and is really blossoming hin his new home. He has a lot more confidence now.
Paulette
November 7th, 2009 | #
1 Turtle Gardens Spay Neuter Society
November 10th, 2009 | #
Thank you Yvette and Dave for your help in us adoptiny Mya. We know that she is being spayed today and that she will be here in Qualicum Beach on Sunday. You guys are doing an absolutely wonderful job and you can count on our support for everything in the future. We had not heard about TG before this , but now we are most certainly hooked. Thank you so much from both of us here on vancouver Island .
Anne and Jim.
November 10th, 2009 | #
Just discovered you from the publicity for the outlooks for men fashion show. We’re going to contact them and see if we can provide any support.
Any ideas for what we might be able to do to help you would be warmly received. We do have an affiliate program that generates $5 per sale for our non profit partners Like VPAS and GVAC, please let us know if that could help you.
Best wishes
Martin Hubbard
Martin Hubbard
November 22nd, 2009 | #
I wanted to just thank you for all your help today, I came by earlier with my dad and boyfriends. I’m hoping to be able to give more thought to getting a puppy from you, only issue is that where I live my mom has a few cats, and that next year I’ll be moving to Victoria. I wouldn’t want to get a dog and not be able to give it an adequate home, I know I would provide the necessary time and care, i guess I’m just going to fully prepare for the situation if I want one. thanks again, and good luck.
November 28th, 2009 | #
Hi, I live in Williams Lake
My cousin was telling me you were looking for drivers to deliver food for the animals..
please send me more info on that I will see what I can do from my end
Don
December 1st, 2009 | #
Hey Yvette,
I sent you an email just wondering about
some information on Trista. Hope you get back to me soon!
Im really looking forward to hearing from you and getting the info
i need, thanks!
Brittany.
December 12th, 2009 | #
Hi,
We spent Christmas in Topley at my In-laws home. When we returned Dec 27/09 we found our 15 year old kitty girl, Skitter very sick. After an emergency trip to the vet she passed peacefully away due to renal failure on Dec 28/09.
My heart is completely broken as she was my beloved companion for 15 years. Longer than I’ve been together with my husband. Our house seems so empty with only one cat here now. I think it would be good for me to grieve a bit longer before I try to fill that empty space with another furbaby to love. I would be interested in hearing in the near future about any friendly, healthy cats that would like to join a loving family with two children (7 & 4 years old) as well as a friendly personable neutered male indoor cat. I would prefer this cat to be mainly an indoor cat but would be able to roam our yard in the summer.
Cheers,
Lisa
Prince George
December 30th, 2009 | #
When you are ready there are so many kitties in need but I do know that Buddy in Granisle is a very friendly, personable, easy going neutered male beauty. He has had a tough fall as a stray but is in a very good foster home now – he loves it indoors, is very clean and lives with another neutered male cat. He does like to go outside a bit but prefers the warmth and comfort of indoors. And of course all the kitties at Simonds Cat Sanctuary in Burns Lake are well adjusted well cared for kitties too and the ones in Terrace and Hazelton – lots and lots of kitties.
December 31st, 2009 | #
Hi Yvette, it’s Bill Proulx, the former TV reporter who did a few stories on T-G when I lived in Smithers in the late ’90s. I happened upon your website and thought I’d chip in. I’m very happy to see you’re still helping animals. Keep up the great work.
Bill
January 4th, 2010 | #
Thank you Bill, it is most appreciated! I still have copies of the interviews!
January 4th, 2010 | #
Greetings Yvette – additional information about our 2 – 6 month old surrenderd puppies – surrendered only due to my husbands onging illness and intense medical needs.
Both puupy parents were no taller than 7 inches at shoulder – puppies are already full grown – miniature Terrier/shih zhu mix?
Buddy is very gentle, quieter than his brother, shy around strangers – loves cats and to be held. Smooth black and white coat.
Teddy bear is extremely outgoing, full of life loves people, other dogs and cats. Teddy Bear loves to lay on his back and have his tummy scratched, often sleeps on his back as well. Fuzzy black/grey and white coat.
Both sit for treats, come when called (almost all the time)and are house trained via puppy door.
January 24th, 2010 | #
Hi,
We are just beginning the search for a new addition to our family and my cousin told me about your organization. We are a family of four, 2 adults, 2 kids in elementary school. We live in a relatively small house, with a small yard. Previously we had a border collie/standard collie cross. Fantastic dog, but too big and active for our smaller, city home. He went to live with Grandma and Grandpa on their acreage until he passed away a few years ago. We are looking for a mid-sized dog, who is gentle and good natured with kids. We work close to home, but it will have to be ok on its own for periods of time. As I am a school teacher we would like to wait until the summer when I am home to bring a new pet home and we are thinking that a puppy is not likely the best choice. Perhaps you could keep us in mind and let me know if there are any dogs in your care that might fit with our family.
Thank you.
January 24th, 2010 | #
Hello,
I am wondering about the puppy pork chop. Has he been adopted already? What kind of dog is he? I have been looking for a puppy for quite some time now. I just bought my first home with a nice sized yard and would love a puppy to share it with. If you could let me know about Pork chop that would be great.
Thanks a lot,
Mehgan
January 25th, 2010 | #
hi my names amber and i was looking into getting a puppy for our kids for valintines day and i came upon white spot i was wondering if you would be able to tell me a little bit more about him i have a 6 year old and a 1 1/2 year old we just moved into a house with a huge lot right by the river and i just fell in love if youd be able to e-mail me some more information and if hes at all house trained?:razz:
January 25th, 2010 | #
Good morning Yvette,
Bonny & I received a wonderful email from King’s servants, Del & Mark, who informed us of your upcoming run with fire (Olympic Torch type) tomorrow. We are very happy for you and wish you all the best memories from this event. It was also very nice to see (there was a photo) and hear that King is doing so well. He looks as regal as ever. We are trying to plan a visit out west to have a visit with King. All in the prelim planning stages right now, if we go we shall let you know how it goes, Del & Mark have gave us a standing invite of which we truly appreciate and hope to use soon. Anyway, keep up the great work and good health to you and yours. Bonny & Lou, Calgary
January 29th, 2010 | #