Crowsnest Pet Care provides a fun place for pets and supports dogs in need in the Crowsnest Pass community. (Photo credit: Crowsnest Pet Care)

By Pattison Media

Think Local: Amplify Southern Alberta

Crowsnest Pet Care: caring for four-legged friends in the community

Feb 3, 2023 | 3:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Crowsnest Pet Care is a small company making a big difference in the Crowsnest Pass community. The unique dog daycare is owned and operated by Alisha Cottle and Shannon McCann.

Friends for almost twenty years, both had always dreamed of owning an open-concept doggie daycare, after working in dog daycares and veterinary clinics in the past.

Alisha and Shannon started walking large groups of dogs off-leash and performing in-home pet care. Soon they were swamped with work, and decided it was time to find a location to make their dream become a reality.

So, they opened Crowsnest Pet Care in Frank, Alberta, but their dream didn’t end there. In fact, it was just the beginning.

Crowsnest Pet Care provides an open-concept doggie daycare in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. (Photo credit: Crowsnest Pet Care)

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Four-legged friends at Crowsnest Pet Care, January 2023. (Photo credit: Crowsnest Pet Care)

Shortly after opening the daycare, Alisha and Shannon realized that in the Crowsnest Pass community and surrounding areas, there was a lack of safe places for dogs in need, or options for people who could no longer care for their dogs for various reasons.

They say sadly, it is not uncommon for people to abandon unwanted animals. So, Alisha and Shannon decided that with their experience, and now with their facility, they could help make a change for some of these unfortunate animals.

Within two years of opening their facility, they rescued, rehabilitated, fostered, vetted, and re-homed thirty-six dogs in the community and surrounding areas.

Currently, eight dogs are still living full-time in their care that haven’t been fostered yet due to various reasons, such as health problems, large sizes, or certain disabilities.

Alisha and Shannon have done all of this solely with the money earned from their doggie daycare, food donations from caring people in the community, and some fun photo shoots to cover costs.

Dogs relaxing at Crowsnest Pet Care, January 2023. (Photo credit: Crowsnest Pet Care)

However, they have recently been forced to start turning away some dogs in need of a safe, warm, and fun foster home due to finances and rising costs of dog food, vet care, and other expenses.

Crowsnest Pet Care is not a registered charity, so they don’t ask for monetary donations; just food and blankets for all the pups they still house. They say every little bit helps!

Alisha and Shannon intend to register as a charity this year so they can continue helping as many dogs as possible. Once registered, they hope to accept donations so they can take care of more needy pups in the community.

Thank you for all that you do to help the furry friends in our community, Crowsnest Pet Care!

Pattison Media is proud to support the local community with the ‘Amplify Southern Alberta’ promotion, featuring local businesses, individuals and groups that make a difference in our community.

If you know a community-minded person, group or business that you think should be featured as part of Pattison Media’s ‘Amplify Southern Alberta’ promotion, you can submit a nomination and enter to win prizes at WILD 95.5 or All Hits B93 radio.

Read more stories that Amplify Southern Alberta.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.