Photo: Dogs were welcomed into the Hanna swimming pool for an end-of-season event supporting Harvest Sky Animal Rescue. Donations collected during the six-hour swim will help the volunteer-operated organization. Credit: Cedar Luider

Hanna’s outdoor swimming pool went to the dogs Wednesday as the community marked the end of the season with a fundraiser for Harvest Sky Animal Rescue.

Friendly dogs were invited to swim and play during Paws in the Pool from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 26.

Donations collected during the event were directed to the Hanna-based animal rescue.

The canine swim followed the pool’s final regular day of the season on Aug. 25, when the Town of Hanna offered free public swimming from 1 to 9 p.m.

Opening the pool to dogs after the regular swimming season gave local owners an opportunity to bring their pets for an end-of-summer outing while supporting animals in need.

Harvest Sky Animal Rescue is operated entirely by volunteers and serves a large portion of east-central Alberta, including communities between Drumheller, Stettler and Wainwright. The organization also provides assistance in Saskatchewan and beyond its usual service area.

The rescue was founded as the Hanna SPCA in 2005. It became Harvest Sky Animal Rescue after the organization assumed operations of the former shelter in December 2021.

Paws in the Pool has previously helped the organization raise money and collect supplies.