The Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue has received their official charitable status.

President Michelle Neufeld says they have been around for almost five years and this is an exciting step for them going forward.

"We do feel like as the years go on that we're getting more and more popular and people are knowing more about us. I know we have had, over the years, people asking us when are you getting your charitable status. So, it's very exciting for us to finally have our charitable status. Hopefully, in the future, that will help us get an actual building in Steinbach or surrounding area."

Neufeld says she's thankful to former Steinbach resident Christine Klassen who is now a lawyer in Winnipeg.

"We were able to find her lost cat and she really wanted to pay it forward. So, she offered to do it all for us [at no cost]. It was really kind and generous of her."

She notes the hope is people will now take them more seriously as a rescue.

"We are not going away anytime soon, we really know the need of helping animals in Steinbach and the surrounding area is very high."

Neufeld says currently the biggest challenge is being able to accommodate the high volume of calls they're receiving because they rely strictly on foster care. She adds their next goal is to acquire a building to house all the animals.