Welcome to the “dog days of summer”! The last issue of e-Kids was all about cats – now it’s time to put the spotlight on our dog friends. Here are just a few ways to give dogs a helping paw as the weather heats up.

• Keep your dog – and yourself – cool with a “kiddie” pool! Grab a camera and try to get some action shots like this great one from BC SPCA volunteer Viktoria Haack!


• Planning to have a lemonade stand this summer? Go further by providing “refreshments” for dogs. A bowl of fresh water pooches can lap up for free will go a long way with your customers! Or keep a cooler of banana “pupsicles” to offer to dog guardians. Slice pieces of banana and put them in ice cube trays filled with water or unsweetened fruit juice. Freeze and – voila! – cold and crunchy treats for dogs! 


• Offer to walk a neighbour’s dog while they are at work. The pup will love to get out for some exercise and their guardian will surely appreciate it! Be sure to bring water for both yourself and your furry friend. Also, remember that paws and hot pavement don’t mix, so if it’s a hot day, stick to grass or trails instead.

• On a warm summer’s day, the temperature in a parked car can quickly become dangerous. Commit to never leave your dog or other pet alone in a hot car – and tell others why it’s important, too. You could even ask your local grocery store if you can put up a poster or set up a table out front to educate others about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars.

• Join us at summer camp, where we’ll share even more great ideas to help dogs and other animals. Remember, if you are a BC SPCA Kids Club member you get a discount on summer camps. Check your email inbox for the discount code or email us.

July’s Furry Friend is Destiny, a sweet-as-can-be five-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier looking for her fur-ever family.

Destiny loves to snuggle and try to climb in laps, go for walks and play in the water. She just wants to love and be loved in return! She’d prefer not to share her home with cats or other small animals, but would happily join a family with kids six years old and up.

Unfortunately, Destiny spent a lot of time in her previous home on a chain. She has a few skin issues as a result which are managed with omega 3-rich foods and Vitamin E.

Destiny is currently living at the Burnaby SPCA until she finds the right adopters.

Please note that Destiny was available for adoption at the time this article was written and may have found her forever home since then. Visit spca.bc.ca/adopt to find more animals currently up for adoption.