Inside AARCS Safe Haven
A volunteer sits cross legged on the concrete floor inside a cool grey kennel. Their hand is folded out with a small treat in the middle of their palm, just waiting.
On the other side of the kennel a frightened dog named Presly watches. She is deciding whether today is the day to trust.
After a long moment Presly steps forward, licking up the treat then quickly retreating back to the corner of the kennel. It’s a small victory, but inside AARCS Safe Haven, it’s small moments like that which are steps towards rehabilitation.
“Working in animal rescue, either as a paid staff member or as a volunteer, is quite emotional,” said Alexandra Nagy, a volunteer at AARCS.
The Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, known as AARCS, is one of Calgary’s biggest animal welfare organizations. From rescuing and rehabilitating dogs and cats to small animals from throughout the province. The organization works beyond the rows of kennels. With operations from critical care emergencies, to a community spay and neuter program.
More than 500 animals may be in the care of AARCS’ at any given time. Either at the rescue or in foster homes. The organization relies heavily on the small number of staff and the thousands of volunteers to work with these animals.
A Day Inside the Rescue
Inside Safe Haven rescue the work is moving at a steady pace, from laundry that runs constantly, to kennels being cleaned and disinfected. Volunteers come throughout the day in scattered shifts to walk dogs and provide enrichment.
The environment is busy but controlled in order to reduce stress on animals. This promotes a strong space for healing to dogs that are injured, who are frightened or completely shut down.
“It’s the kindness, that’s pretty much what AARCS is built off of just trying to be kind,” said Astrid Willm, administrative assistant at AARCS. “There is a lot of need in the world, and a lot of it is unfair, that’s hard for people and animals alike.”
Willm said the organization gets upwards of 200 calls a day on its main phone. That does not include emails and social media requests. Calls come from people trying to surrender animals they can no longer care for, others call for emergency help.
“The Animals, it’s not their fault, they didn’t ask for any of this,” said Willm as she smiles at one of the volunteers nestling up next to a puppy. “I think that’s what really keeps us going here… the kindness and all the good the community does do.”
Medical Care and Community Programs
The rescue has an on site veterinary clinic that is funded by donations. Wednesdays are filled with surgeries from spay and neuter procedures to dental work and emergency medical care.
Some dogs at AARCS don’t even belong to their rescue program. With permission from indigenous communities dogs and animals are picked up and brought into the clinic. They are then spayed and neutered through the SNAP program. The animals will also be given up to date vaccinations and medical checkups before being returned home.
“Sometimes… we will have animals here that don’t belong to us,” Willm explained. “We’re just helping them along the way.”
As soon as dogs and animals arrive they receive the care they need. Willm expressed there is a common misconception about AARCS’ critical care funds.
“A lot of people think our critical care page means we are waiting to get funds before we can help them,” she said before clarifying “that is not the case… They have already had any medical care they need.”
The critical care page helps replenish those funds previously used. So when the next dog in need comes in, they will have the ability to help them immediately.
One Step at a Time
When volunteers pass down the rows of kennels, most dogs sound an energetic bark looking for attention. But for some they require a slower pace, like Presly.
Presley arrived at AARCS as a part of a large rescue and was completely shut down. Unwilling to be approached to receive love and unwilling to give any trust. Staff and volunteers spend time just sitting with her, letting her control the situation. Letting her learn that no one there wants to hurt her.
“We never want to push too hard,” Willm said, gently gesturing to Presly as she consciously sniffs the air around a volunteer patiently sitting inside her kennel. “If Presly does go closer, great. If Presly says no thank you I don’t want to hang out, we’ll respect that.”
Presley sitting inside her kennel at AARCS, in Calgary on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Photo by Annaka Didrikson/SAIT)
That respect goes for every animal staying in the building, and is upheld by the people who keep AARCS running.
Volunteers
The rescue is run by thousands of volunteers, and relies heavily on the time they give. The roles range from cleaning and administrative work, to dog caregiver and animal transportations.
Alexandra Nagy is just one of those volunteers. She first came to AARCS looking to adopt in 2021.
“I adopted my dog Ace from AARCS,” said Nagy with a big smile on her face. “His foster dad was so great that I wanted to volunteer and help out too.”
Nagy volunteers multiple times a week and says the variety of opportunities is what keeps her coming back.
“Theres something for everyone’s skill set,” and says she started volunteering for the dogs, but keeps coming back because “the people are pretty great too.”
For Nagy and many other volunteers and staff the work is emotional but deeply rewarding. One dog in particular left a paw print in her heart.
Luna, she was labeled as a reactive dog and considered difficult to place due to that aggression. Nagy spent extra time with her. Taking her on walks and mental enrichment to reduce her stress.
“We kind of developed a special bond,” insinuating that Luna gave something back to Nagy too. Saying when she would come in to volunteer Luna would recognize her and get all wiggly and excited.
When a family looking to adopt a dog met Luna at an adoption event, the match wasn’t obvious at first. Because Luna was labeled aggressive, the organization didn’t think she would be well suited to a big family.
“But they were able to work with her reactivity, and it just fit so well,” Nagy recalled.
And went on to say it’s the moments like that which make the emotional weight worthwhile.
“We don’t always win every battle,” said Willm. “That’s the reality of animal welfare. So we have to remember the kindness and all the good that the community does.”
Small Acts of Kindness
For anyone considering getting involved with animal rescue, Willm suggests reflection, not hesitation.
“The fact that they’re questioning it, I think, is a good start,” she said. And motivates those considering to not think ‘I can’t help’ rather think how you can, because there is always some small way.
At AARCS Safe Haven those small ways really add up. A walk, a foster home, a volunteer shift. One act of kindness at a time turns fear into trust and a rescue dog to a forever dog.
