Reward now up to $2,000
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An outpouring of concern from dog lovers across the continent has sweetened the pot for the safe return of Nisga’a, a missing Coton de Tuléar.
Nisga’a’s owner, Sonya Paterson, said Monday that following pleas that she posted on her Facebook page, friends and strangers have taken a personal interest in bringing her safely home, coming up with a $2,000 reward.
“We have had people from the entire Lower Mainland show up to show their support and search for Nisga’a,” Paterson said.
“People from across Canada and the U.S. have generously contributed towards the reward, and kept us in their prayers. It has been an enormous help to know that both friends and those we have never even met care so much.”
Nisga’a is a Coton de Tulear, a rare purebred which originated in Madagascar more than 300 years ago. A show dog, she is valued at $3,500. Small, white and fluffy, she weighs only nine pounds. She gave birth to pups six weeks ago.
Her puppies “have been really frantic” without their mother, Paterson said.
But Paterson said that Nisga’a’s true value “lies in how much we and her mate, Cody, love and miss her.”
She added that Nisga’a has monetary value only if she is bred with a dog of the same breed and similar bloodline.
“We want to make sure that anyone who may be holding on to her understands this and claims their reward for her safe return to her puppies, Cody and her human family,” she said.
Nisga’a went missing on Nov. 9, when a house guest of the Patersons briefly released the dog’s leash. The dog, unused to being off-leash, ran into a field at the intersection of 83 Avenue and 212 Street. Anyone who has knowledge of Nisga’a’s whereabouts may call Sonya Paterson at 604-888-2066, or 604-649-2414.
If someone finds Nisga’a and wants to remain anonymous, the dog can be taken to her vet, Dr. Rana, at the Apex Animal Hospital, #103, 19916-64 Ave.
