December 2014

What grade does Canada get on animal protection and welfare? The answer may surprise you.

According to a new study, Canada gets a “D” when compared with 50 other countries. The rating is a reflection of Canadian policy and legislative commitment to animal welfare and protection. Though there have been recent improvements to the codes of practice for cattle, pigs, horses and sheep, the laws don’t reflect society’s change in attitude since the anti-cruelty law was drafted more than 100 years ago. Animals are still considered property, not sentient beings capable of suffering.

The study also looked at the treatment of animals in captivity, animals used in research and testing, and protection of wildlife beyond just preservation of species.

Read the full story here.

The Happy Tale of Two Cats
by Cathy M. Rosenthal, illustrated by Jessica Warrick

Happy the cat has all the things a cat should have: a loving family, comfortable home, toys, a scratch post, regular visits to the vet and an ID tag in case she gets lost.

Down the street from Happy lives another cat without any of these things. This cat doesn’t have a name; she is known only as the unhappy cat.

It is only when the unhappy cat’s guardians move away and leave her that she begins to transition – slowly, and with the help of kind people – into a happy cat herself. From the abandoned house to the animal shelter and eventually her forever home, she finds safety, friendship and love.

The Happy Tale of Two Cats tells a sweet and memorable story of what can happen when caring people in the community all take a part in turning an animal’s life around. It addresses the importance not only of physically caring for our feline friends, but also being companions to them.

With a perfectly happy ending and excellent illustrations that help tell the story, this book will warm the heart of any cat lover.

For dog lovers, The Lucky Tale of Two Dogs, written and illustrated by the same team of Cathy M. Rosenthal and Jessica Warrick, tells a similar story.

These books are recommended for readers in Kindergarten and up.

Read more BC SPCA book recommendations.

The holiday season can create disruptions in routine and diet not just for people, but for pets, as well. It is important to be aware of some hazards that may cause an animal to behave differently or make them sick. If your pet is acting up he might be trying to tell you he doesn’t like this new schedule… or maybe he got into something that he shouldn’t have.

Chocolates, tinsel, and small toys abound at Christmas – and if any of these are ingested by your pet, it could be serious. Plants such as amaryllis, holly and mistletoe can be toxic, as can plant food added to Christmas tree water. (For a full list of plants and people foods toxic to pets, visit aspca.org/apcc.)

As a club, consider making a poster or even an announcement at school to inform others about these hazards. No one wants to spend Christmas at the emergency vet clinic.

Learn more about other hazards to avoid this holiday season.

Kittens born this past summer can become young moms this winter. Yes, you read that right! Kittens go into their first heat when they are between five and six months old. Many people don’t realize this and if a kitten is left outdoors she may come back pregnant.
“Accidental litters” are a contributing factor to the influx of kittens in early spring and into summer in our shelters. As much as we LOVE kittens, this reduces the chances of older cats getting adopted because the kittens grab most of the attention of potential adopters. The kittens that make it into our shelters are the lucky ones. Seventy-five per cent of kittens born outdoors don’t survive beyond six months of age due to factors such as starvation, exposure, predators, and being hit by cars. You can help prevent suffering by spaying or neutering your cat before five months – and encouraging other cat guardians to do the same. Learn more about this news item and other BC SPCA news that you may want to include in class discussions.

Kindness Counts
(for K- Gr. 2)

Companions for Life
(Gr. 3-5)

You Can Make a Difference
(Gr. 5-7)

  Cluck - The life of an egg-laying hen (Gr. 4-6)

  Bite Free (K - Gr. 5)

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On behalf of all the animals we care for and protect, thank you for your support.