Puppy Pilates raises awareness for Second Chance Animal Rescue

Two full-hour “puppy Pilates” classes were held on Saturday, July 13 in Kingsville at Howe Fit with just over half a dozen foster dogs of various sizes and breeds, all who are awaiting adoption.

The puppies may have had an edge when it comes to Pilates pose “downward dog”, but they were more interested in traveling around the room, tails wagging, giving many wet kisses on cheeks or interrupting poses for a belly rub, causing much laughter. 

Karly Bondy-Grant adopted her dog Baker from Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) Windsor-Essex County three years ago and says the non-profit charity is very near and dear to her heart. 

Bondy-Grant, who works at Howe Fit in Kingsville, says she had seen other places hold puppy Pilates and wanted to hold an event.

“We are all dog lovers here,” she said at the gym Saturday morning. 

She said her dog Baker often joins her behind the counter at the gym and is a favourite greeter of gym goers. 

Registration for the class was $25 each and it was all donated to Second Chance Animal Rescue, she said. 

SCAR’s mission is to rescue and provide necessary medical care to animals (dogs and cats) in need, then to place them in loving forever homes, according to Carrie Standel of the Windsor-Essex County SCAR.

“We don’t get any funding and we rely solely on adoptions, donations and fundraising for money,” Standel said at the gym. 

“This money helps with vetting, transporting these rescues to Windsor, and any beds, special food, treats, belly bands, etc., that our rescues need when they get here.”

“A lot of our dogs do come from shelters in Texas, but we do have some local surrenders too,” she said. 

“We have quite the extensive screening program,” she said, and they want to make sure they fit the right dog with the right family.

She said that each adoption includes spay/neuter, microchip, up-to-date vaccinations, heartworm testing and prevention. 

Although the local SCAR group does not have its own facility, the animals are fostered while awaiting forever homes. 

More information can be found at www.scarescue.org, on facebook @scarsecondchanceanimalrescue, instagram @scarwindsoressex and on twitter @scarescue or by email at [email protected]