The BC SPCA

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November 2016 

Animal Heroes banner

Lucca

This Remembrance Day, when you think of the brave people who have risked or given their lives for our freedom, take a moment to remember the animals, too.

Animals have also made sacrifices in times of war. They have delivered messages, carried the wounded, sniffed out explosives and, of course, kept lonely soldiers company on the frontlines.

Lucca is one such hero. Earlier this year, she was awarded the Dickin Medal – the highest honour a war animal can receive. She served in the United States Marine Corps for six years. During that time, she successfully completed 400 missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

As a search and rescue dog, Lucca’s job was to go ahead of the troops to make sure the way was safe. Thanks to her skills, there were no human casualties on any of her patrols. Sadly, on her final mission, Lucca lost one of her legs when a bomb exploded underneath her.

Now healed and retired, Lucca lives with the soldier she served alongside in Iraq. He says, “Lucca is very intelligent, loyal and had an amazing drive for work as a search dog. She is the only reason I made it home to my family and I am fortunate to have served with her. Today, I do my best to keep her spoiled in her well-deserved retirement.”

Farm Animal Fun banner

e-kids_nov2016_quiz640x740.pngDid you know that farm animals outnumber every other type of animal we keep in Canada? In our province alone, more than 100 million animals are raised on farms each year! This is one of the many reasons why we’ve made it our mission at the BC SPCA to not only care for cats and dogs, but to help farm animals too.

Are you a fellow farm animal fan? We’ve got just the challenge for you! Check out the trivia questions above. Send your answers to kids@spca.bc.ca, using the subject line “Farm Animal Quiz.” Get four or more correct, and you’ll be entered in a draw to win some cool farm animal-themed school supplies! This contest is open until December 31, 2016 to all BC SPCA Kids Club members. Remember to include your name, age and city with your answers, too.

Not a Kids Club member? Sign up today and you’ll never miss out on any exciting contests like this one again!

Wild Rescue banner

e-kids-nov2016_owl-with-cast_300x300.pngA short-eared owl is lucky to be alive after a close encounter with a vehicle last month. She was found at the side of the road with a severely broken wing. Now that it’s getting dark outside earlier, wild animals are out and about earlier too. The owl was probably hunting for small rodents near the road when she was hit by someone driving home from work.

The owl was taken to Wild ARC, the BC SPCA’s wildlife rehabilitation centre on Vancouver Island. The amazing staff there have lots of experience treating injured wildlife. She’s already undergone surgery to pin and stabilize the bones in her wing. Now she’ll spend the next few months in care gaining back her strength. Before she’s released, the staff will test her ability to fly in a special cage called a flight pen, just to make sure she’s ready to return to the wild.

Smitten with Kittens

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Every spring and summer, BC SPCA shelters are flooded with hundreds of kittens from unwanted litters. It’s definitely called “kitten season” for a reason! And, even though winter’s already on its way, we’ve got lots of spunky little guys and gals still available for adoption.

Is your family thinking of getting a kitten? Head on down to your local shelter where one of our adoption counsellors will help you make the best match. You can even look online beforehand to view the profiles of all the kittens up for adoption to see if there are any in particular you’d like to meet.

Not sure exactly what it takes to be a great cat guardian? Check out our website for information on caring for cats.

Even if your family can’t bring home a kitten from the BC SPCA, you can still help by encouraging others to adopt! Print out and colour our “Adopt a Kitten” poster. Hang it up (with permission) to remind others about the many kittens in our shelters waiting to find loving forever homes.

 

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