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Alice Gamble has been volunteering at D’Arcy’s A.R.C for five years. On Nov. 1, founder D’Arcy Johnston will receive a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal. Johnston says he wouldn’t have earned the medal without the dedication and care of his staff and volunteers. (MATT PREPROST)

A local animal shelter is receiving a royal honour.
On Nov. 1, D’Arcy Johnston, founder of D’Arcy’s A.R.C. will receive a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at a ceremony at the Manitoba legislature.
Although the medal is being given out in his name, the shelter’s staff and volunteers really deserve the kudos, Johnston said recently.
"They have worked together to keep this project going," said Johnston, who began the shelter 11 years ago out of the basement of his North End home.
"I started it all, but I can’t do it by myself."
Johnston plans to frame the medal and put it on display at the shelter, located at 730B Century St.
Since its opening, the shelter has adopted out more than 10,500 animals, with more than 650 adoptions this year alone.
The commemorative medals were created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne.
Some 60,000 Canadians were to be recognized this year with a medal, handed out by the Governor General’s office.
Johnston called his recognition an honour, noting that his selection caught him by surprise.
"To have the validation of the community that we are doing a good job means a lot," he said.
"We all have the same goal in mind, and through the shelter we can keep this dream going."
A representative from the Governor General’s office could not say how many animal welfare advocates received a Diamond Jubilee medal this year.
For more, visit www.darcysarc.ca.

matt.preprost@canstarnews.com