February is a month to celebrate love, and one of the ways you can show your love to animals is by joining the BC SPCA in our fight to ensure that every animal in British Columbia is born into a safe and loving environment.
Last year alone, the BC SPCA rescued more than 32,000 animals in need, including 6,000 unwanted kittens. The biggest tragedy is that pet overpopulation is a completely preventable problem if we all do our part. In this issue of Anim@ls we highlight Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and the many ways we can make a difference together. Thank you for your support and for being a champion for the animals.
With appreciation,
Lorie Chortyk General Manager, Community Relations
PS. You can multiply your impact! Forward this message to friends, family and colleagues.
February 2012 Issue 108
Found in a box that some kids were kicking around, Holland is now in our care & looking for someone to love. Is she the cat for you?
Coral (aka Kaya) was brought into the BC SPCA Williams Lake Branch as a stray in August 2011; she had been seen wandering in the 150 Mile House area with a doggy friend.
February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and the BC SPCA is urging pet guardians and all animal lovers to do their part to help end the tragedy of pet overpopulation in British Columbia.
Learn about the benefits of spaying and neutering your pet and find out how you can make a difference to homeless animals in B.C.
Looking for the perfect way to say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day? Choose from our selection of virtual Pawsitive Gifts.
When you give a Pawsitive Gift you are giving the gift of true love by selflessly helping an animal in need. Give from the heart: choose a gift, choose a card and send your love.
Putting aside money to pay for having your pet spayed or neutered when you're on a fixed income just isn't an option for many pet guardians. That's why the BC SPCA is working to partner with municipalities, veterinarians and donors around B.C. to subsidize spay/neuter services and make them affordable for everyone.
BC SPCA branches in Kamloops and Williams Lake are caring for 39 cats who were found in an abandoned home near Ashcroft and 13 additional cats surrendered by a person of interest in the case.
The cats, who were treated for eye and ear infections but are in good overall health, are now up for adoption. The investigation continues and animal cruelty charges are pending.
The BC SPCA is making the spay/neuter message relevant to youth in a series of “Healthy Pets, Happy Pets” workshops.
Kids will have a fantastic time learning about pet health and how they can help prevent pet overpopulation in their communities. They’ll enjoy listening to guest speakers, engaging in pet population problem-solving, playing animal-themed games and making pet-friendly treats and toys.
Workshops are being held in Victoria, Cowichan, Penticton, Vancouver and Maple Ridge. Space is limited — register now!
A question often asked is when cat guardians should spay their cat. Cats can reach sexual maturity as early as five months – when they are essentially still kittens.
“The cause of many accidental litters is when guardians wait too long and their ‘kitten’ becomes pregnant,” says Dr. Jamie Lawson, chief animal health officer for the BC SPCA. Be proactive, particularly before the spring kitten season, and set up an appointment to get your animals spayed and neutered. Additionally, there are other health and behaviour benefits to having your pets spayed and neutered.
The BC SPCA is offering free spay/neuter clinics for feral and loosely-owned cats in four B.C. communities during February and March. The Vancouver SPCA Hospital and the SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinics in Prince George and Kamloops will hold clinics on Feb. 26, March 16 and March 28, respectively.
The free services include medical examinations, sterilization, vaccinations and identification tattoos. The Chilliwack SPCA is also working with a local vet clinic to offer a free spay/neuter day for cats in early March.
Some of you may live with cats, some with dogs and some with both. Which animal do you tend to value more?
University researchers are studying the differences in our relationships with cats and dogs. By participating in their confidential survey, you can inform our understanding of this important issue so we can provide better protection for both cats and dogs throughout B.C.
Ten years ago Shelly Culin wanted help for some hungry sheep near her cabin but found there were few resources. Her short-term solution was to take them a bale of alfalfa each visit, but long term she wanted to support stronger animal cruelty laws and investigations. So ten years ago this month Shelly became a PAW Plan monthly donor to help the animals who never made it into shelters.
Most male farm animals are castrated for meat quality reasons, but unlike procedures for companion animals, castration generally occurs without anaesthetic or pain relief.
The BC SPCA is committed to improving the humane treatment of Canada’s 700 million farm animals and is a leader in efforts to update industry codes of practice that include pain relief during these procedures.
The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia. The Society provides a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
BC SPCA Charitable Registration No. BN 11881 9036 RR0001
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On behalf of all the animals we care for and protect, thank you for your support.
