FAQs

Funding derives from a number of sources:

• Revenues from Keshet Kennels are used to fund the infrastructure.
• Since the rescue is focused primarily on owner surrender we ask that the owners assist with costs by ensuring the dogs they surrender are spayed/neutered and that all their dog’s shots are up to date.
• On the occasion of a dog being fostered, we request the foster parents to make a contribution.
• Contributions of cash, resources, goods and/or services from friends and sponsors.
• All startup costs and financial shortfalls are covered personally by Debbie and Andrew Moffat

We accept contributions of cash, resources, goods and/or services from friends and sponsors.

Please note our:

• Corporate Sponsorship Page
• Individual Sponshorship Page

We accept contributions of cash, resources, goods and/or services from friends and sponsors.

Please note our:

• Corporate Sponsorship Page
• Individual Sponshorship Page

Contact us to identify your desire and let us know in what capacity you want to volunteer. Following a meeting with our staff we will identify, with you, where you can be best employed and a schedule.

Because dogs are a 24/7/365 concern it is essential that everybody involved in their care be committed.

Any volunteer will be asked to leave and will not be scheduled for further work, if the following conditions exist:

• inappropriate behavior with any dog;
• inappropriate behavior at Keshet Kennels’ facilities;
• missing scheduled work periods without notice; and/or
• consistently being late.

Contact us to identify your desire and let us know in what capacity you want to volunteer. Following a meeting with our staff we will identify, with you, where you can be best employed and a schedule.

Because dogs are a 24/7/365 concern it is essential that everybody involved in their care be committed.

Any volunteer will be asked to leave and will not be scheduled for further work, if the following conditions exist:

• inappropriate behavior with any dog;
• inappropriate behavior at Keshet Kennels’ facilities;
• missing scheduled work periods without notice; and/or
• consistently being late.

For the description of our services please follow the links to the:

• Services Page
• Facilities Page

Keshet Kennels provides facilities and services to groups and training professionals. The groups and/or the professional trainers will then identify the cost to participate in their activities.

All groups and trainers will be asked to meet with our staff to determine their goals and methods. We will provide a quote to each group or trainer based on their requirements and the frequency of their utilization of Keshet Kennel resources.

Please note our:

• Partners Page
• Services Page
• Facilities Page

We are not a boarding kennel.

We welcome dogs as our guests; however, they must be part of a scheduled group or training program.

Our facilities have lots of well water and pumps are conveniently located around the property. In addition, a bottled water station is available for people to fill canteens and water bottles.

Never. Keshet Kennels provides facilities and services to groups and training professionals. The group representative or training professional must be present at all times that their members/students are on Keshet Kennel facilities.

In addition, a member of our staff is always on site. They will observe the activities and interactions between the dogs, paying particular attention to behavioral patterns and body language. Inappropriate behavior will be prevented or stopped. Those participating in such behavior may be asked to leave the facilities. In extreme cases they may be banned from returning.

Treats are always a great idea to have on hand. However, we ask that visitors do not give treats to any of the resident dogs unless authorized by one of our staff. Since we house dogs of varying degrees of aggression and medical circumstances we must carefully monitor what they eat.

Bringing toys really depends on the activity your group or trainer is conducting. In general toys that are essential to the activity are encouraged, however, toys that are intended for dogs when left on their own are not encouraged. Often aggression can be traced to possessiveness. When not actively involved in an activity we want owners to ensure their dogs are in a calm submissive state.

No. All dogs should be fed and walked prior to coming to our facility. Since we do not have boarding facilities there is no reason that a dog that is part of an organized activity should be here long enough to require feeding.

When owners surrender, we ask the owners to provide us with a fresh bag of the dogs regular diet, so that we can transition the dog gently over to the standard Keshet Kennel diet. Unless prescribed by a vet for medical reasons we feed all resident dogs nutritious Royal Canin food.

We have external pens with custom dog houses. We have pens with external and internal areas.  These also have dog houses for quiet times. We have isolation pens for new residents and holding pens for those residents that require time out or to be segregated due to illness.

In all cases, the dogs in our care stay comfortable no matter what kind of weather is outside. The floors remain warm and dry even in the coldest, snowiest weather.

Please note our Residents Page.

Registering allows us to build a network of like-minded people. As the network grows we are able to:

• share ideas;
• keep the network updated on our progress;
• bring issues (i.e. new legislation/policies) to the networks attention; and
• mobilize the network to deal quickly and effectively with issues affecting dogs.

Please note our Registration Page

Dogs are a 24/7/365 concern. Our staff is here every day.

All visitors must be here as part of a scheduled/organized program.

To reduce the disruption to the dogs’ routines, all other visitors are asked to schedule a time to meet with staff. You may schedule a meeting by contacting inquiries@keshetkennels.com

In case of a medical emergency we contact one of our trusted experienced veterinarians located in close proximity to our kennels.

It is very important that you notify us ahead of time about any behavioral problems with your dog. All potential canine participants in group activities must be pre‑screened for sociability skills, responsiveness and compatibility. In general, in order to participate in our activities and programs a dog must possess basic social skills to interact with people and animals. Aggressive dogs will be not admitted.

Our activity areas have been designed to have buffer areas to ensure that dogs outside the group or training session can’t come in contact by accident.

All of our fencing has buried wire to stop diggers from getting out.

Visitors must have control of their dogs at all time. When not in an organized training or play session with the owner, dogs must be tethered or on leash. Dogs with any possibility for aggression (not bad enough to be barred) must have a muzzle while on Keshet Kennels’ property or using Keshet Kennels’ facilities.

Keshet Kennels will help any dog in need. However, in most cases our intention would be to alleviate the immediate problem to ensure the dogs safety and then to facilitate a more long term solution. In the case of a smaller dog, we would work with specific breed rescues or find a foster family. In the case of larger dogs it would depend on available resources whether we would keep the animal or would find it an adoptive family or specific breed rescue.

In no case would we place the dog with a public shelter unless we were assured the dog would not be euthanized.

Although we are primarily focused on rescues that involve owner surrender we may be able to provide a shelter for few abandoned and given up dogs, as a part of our mission is to be a rescue for large breed dogs. However, the circumstances of each such dog are different, and for some dogs our facilities may not be suitable. We review these circumstances on a case by case basis.

In no case would we place the dog with a public shelter unless we were assured the dog would not be euthanized.

In general, our policy is not to give our dogs for adoption. When faced with a lack of resources or when it is in the best interest of the dog we will arrange foster care for a dog.

We welcome your interest in providing a foster home for a suitable large breed dog. Our goal is to find long term placements that are willing to undertake a commitment of friendship and care that will last for the rest of the dog's life.

Changing a dog’s place of residence and care givers is extremely traumatic for a dog. So to the extent possible we will only work with foster parents willing to make a commitment.

Yes! Except in the case when we, in conjunction with our vet, determine that euthanasia is in the best interest of the animal. Debbie Moffat started Keshet Kennels in response to the increasing kill policies at most publicly funded shelters.

We understand that the issue of unwanted pets outstrips the resources available and that every opportunity must be afforded to those animals with the best chance of survival. Since the triage being used is often based solely on breed Debbie felt that the large breeds needed a champion outside the system. Keshet Kennels is her response.

However, we also have limited resources and we are only able to save a small number of the animals that come to our attention. As our resources increase we will be able to expand our efforts.

Please note our:

• Corporate Sponsorship Page
• Individual Sponshorship Page

Keshet Kennels will help any dog in need. However, in most cases our intention would be to alleviate the immediate problem to ensure the dogs safety and then to facilitate a more long term solution. In the case of a smaller dog, we would work with specific breed rescues or find a foster family. In the case of larger dogs it would depend on available resources whether we would keep the animal or would find it an adoptive family or specific breed rescue.

In no case would we place the dog with a public shelter unless we were assured the dog would not be euthanized.

Although we are primarily focused on rescues that involve owner surrender wWe may be able to provide a shelter for few abandoned and given up dogs, as a part of our mission is to be a rescue for large breed dogs. However, the circumstances of each such dog are different, and for some dogs our facilities may not be suitable. We review these circumstances on a case by case basis.

In no case would we place the dog with a public shelter unless we were assured the dog would not be euthanized.

In general, our policy is not to give our dogs for adoption. When faced with a lack of resources or when it is in the best interest of the dog we will arrange foster care for a dog.

We welcome your interest in providing a foster home for a suitable large breed dog. Our goal is to find long term placements that are willing to undertake a commitment of friendship and care that will last for the rest of the dog's life.

Changing a dogs place of residence and care givers is extremely traumatic for a dog. So to the extent possible we will only work with foster parents willing to make a commitment.

We have several large breeds. Please note our Residents Page.

Contact us to identify your desire and let us know in what capacity you want to volunteer. Following a meeting with our staff we will identify, with you, where you can be best employed and a schedule.

Because dogs are a 24/7/365 concern it is essential that everybody involved in their care be committed.

Any volunteer will be asked to leave and will not be scheduled for further work, if the following conditions exist:

• inappropriate behavior with any dog;
• inappropriate behavior at Keshet Kennels’ facilities;
• missing scheduled work periods without notice; and/or
• consistently being late.

Contact us to identify your desire and let us know in what capacity you want to volunteer. Following a meeting with our staff we will identify, with you, where you can be best employed and a schedule.

Because dogs are a 24/7/365 concern it is essential that everybody involved in their care be committed.

Any volunteer will be asked to leave and will not be scheduled for further work, if the following conditions exist:

• inappropriate behavior with any dog;
• inappropriate behavior at Keshet Kennels’ facilities;
• missing scheduled work periods without notice; and/or
• consistently being late.

Our facilities are located 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa.

Please note our Contact Page.

Generally, we serve Canada’s National Capital Region area. However, depending on the type of services required, we may be able to provide services to clients located elsewhere as well.

Through referral we have rescued dogs from Alberta and New York.