October 2013

The fall issue of Bark! magazine is now available in your school library.

Featured in this issue are stories about the intelligence and special skills of pigs, how to live safely with black bears and the unique behaviours of rabbits. Readers will get to know toads, warts and all, and find information on helping pets cope with loud noises like fireworks and thunder. They’ll also get to see the winning stamp from the Stamp Out Cruelty contest, along with eight other stamps that made our honourable mention list.

Students will enjoy this colourful, informative magazine which they can reference for projects or read at their leisure.

Look for this issue in your library or order a class set of this issue by email. Include your name, number of students, grade, school name and address and we’ll package them up and send them off to your class.

Joy of Bears
by Sylvia Dolson

“Every living being has something to teach us – if we are open to the lesson.”
– Sylvia Dolson

A book by British Columbia’s Get Bear Smart Society Executive Director Sylvia Dolson, Joy of Bears is a stunning collection of photographs of bears in their natural habitat alongside inspirational quotes about respect for these magnificent creatures and compassion towards all animals.

Readers of all ages will enjoy taking time to pore over Joy of Bears’ images of black bears, grizzlies and polar bears – and to ponder thought-provoking words from individuals such as Aristotle, Jane Goodall, the Dalai Lama and the author herself. This beautiful book is a love letter to bears in particular, and to nature in general.

Proceeds from the sale of Joy of Bears go towards the Get Bear Smart Society.

Read more BC SPCA book recommendations.

Though it may seem fun to get pets into the spirit of Halloween by dressing them up, costumes and other clothing actually put them at risk of miscommunication. Dogs use their body language to communicate both with other dogs and with people.

By covering up their ears, back and tail, we really put them at a disadvantage when they are trying to “talk.” If attempted communication is between two dogs, the result could be a dog fight! Correct signalling helps dogs get along. So, though dressing your dog may not be cruel, it is unnecessary and unfair and may put your dog at risk. The picture above shows how your pet can participate without limiting his or her movement.

This month, your club can spread the word about this Halloween issue, as well as remind friends, family and classmates that fireworks, ringing doorbells and strangers in costumes can be frightening for many pets. Keep pets safe this season by keeping them indoors, away from doors and open windows where they may try to escape if they get spooked. You can find more information on Halloween hazards (PDF) on our website.

Don’t forget to register your club by November 1 for a chance to win your choice of a VIP tour of your community SPCA shelter or a mini workshop at your school.

Did you know that the BC SPCA is involved in improving standards for farm animals across Canada? The BC SPCA is at the table on the creation of new and updated Canadian Codes of Practice for Farm Animals, representing the animal welfare movement to achieve these better protections for farm animals across Canada.

Recently the Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle was up for review and we were there to make sure that animal welfare issues are addressed in these Codes. While the new Code sets out a minimum standard of care, the BC SPCA and Canadian Federation of Humane Societies encourage individual farmers to go further to ensure good welfare for their animals. You can read more about these improvements or the entire code on our website.

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.