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Dear friend,
Each year, the BC SPCA rescues more than 2,000 injured and orphaned wild animals. Sadly, many of these animals have sustained their injuries through interactions with humans or because of encroachment on their natural habitat. At Wild ARC, the BC SPCA’s wildlife rehabilitation centre in Metchosin, animals ranging from river otters to eagles receive individualized care and rehabilitation before being released back to the wild.
April is Wildlife Awareness Month and we encourage you to learn more about how you can make your community a safer place for the wild animals who share our world.
Thank you for supporting all the animals in our care!
With appreciation,
Lorie Chortyk
General Manager, Community Relations
PS. You can multiply your impact! Forward this message to friends, family and colleagues.
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April 2012
Issue 110
Even though Mavis is easy going with other cats and greets everyone who enters the Communal Room with a friendly chirp she has still been waiting since August 2011 for a home.
Learn more about Mavis...
Arriving with thinning dry fur, a wobbly back end and looking a bit scruffy, Taso soon started to look a 100% better after a few conditioning baths.
Learn more about Taso's Happy Ending...
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Thank you for speaking out against Bill 24
 A big thank you to all of our supporters who wrote to the government expressing concerns about the proposed amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (Bill 24) and negative impact of these changes on animals in need.
Your voice is so important in the discussions that will take place over the next few weeks in the legislature and there is still time for the government to amend the Bill. Thank you for speaking out on behalf of B.C’s most vulnerable animals. Please take action by sending this updated message to your MLA.
More...
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Spring means babies!
 Come spring, wildlife rehabilitation centres brace for “baby season” – the annual flood of orphaned or injured baby birds and mammals which typically begins in April and continues through to September.
Centres ready their nurseries, stock up on special formulas and even extend their business hours to accommodate animals found as a result of lengthening daylight.
You can prepare for baby season, too! Find out what to do if you come across a baby wild animal.
More...
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Thank you to our amazing volunteers
 April 15-21 is Volunteer Appreciation Week and the BC SPCA is celebrating our 4,000 dedicated and talented volunteers. From activities such as dog walking, cat cuddling and small animal care to fundraising, advocacy and special events, we could not carry out our mission without the invaluable work of our volunteers.
Find out more about volunteering at the SPCA.
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Trash talk
 Garbage causes animals to suffer. Often, the suffering happens slowly and silently, as discarded fishing line wraps tightly and painfully around a duck’s leg, or bits of plastic fill an albatross’s stomach, making him feel artificially full and starving him at the same time.
With spring – and spring cleaning – upon us, now is the perfect time to reflect on the impact our trash has on wildlife and what we can do to help.
More...
Photo credit: Wildlife Rescue Association
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Pooches can put pipers in peril
 We’ve all seen it. Dogs romping along the beach rousing flocks of shorebirds who swirl around waiting for the dogs to leave. Meanwhile the dogs look approvingly at their guardians. Great fun! No one was hurt. Unfortunately, the impact on shore birds can be devastating. Find out why.
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Calendar contest launches
 Twelve adorable pets will win a coveted page in our 2013 BC SPCA calendar. (Psst…we don’t want them getting too proud, but if they win your pet’s photo will be hanging in more than 35,000 homes next year.)
Enter your pet online now. Voting opens April 10, with every dollar donated in their name equalling one vote. The twelve animals with the most votes will win a page in the 2013 calendar. Contest closes at noon on May 10.
More...
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Happy ending for 'miracle cat'
 A cat named Miracle has been given a clean bill of health after surviving a horrendous injury in a home-made wooden trap on a Kelowna property in early January. The SPCA was called after a resident on an adjoining property came across the brown tabby, whose front left paw was entangled in the trap. BC SPCA officers rushed the cat to a local veterinary clinic where she received immediate veterinary treatment. Miracle has been recovering in SPCA care since January and is ready to start her new life in a happy home.
More...
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Time to start planning your kid's summer camp
 Do you know kids who never stop thinking or talking about animals? Sign them up for BC SPCA summer camp! At camp, they’ll spend a week making crafts, playing games, creating skits and listening to special guest speakers. They’ll even get to meet some shelter animals. Plus, they’ll be surrounded by other campers who are just as passionate as they are to take on animal issues and make a difference.
Registration begins at most locations May 1.
More...
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Have your say!
 When we created the "Your views on animals" web portal, we had no idea it would attract this much attention. Clearly, the BC SPCA community has a lot of wonderful input to share! Add your voice to the hundreds of others who have already weighed in on important issues like the treatment of dairy cattle and animals used in biomedical research.
More...
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Donor of the Month : Carol Richards
Long-time donor Carol Richards was inspired to volunteer at the BC SPCA by Sadie, her seven-year old Burnese mountain dog. “I know that not all dogs are as lucky as she is.” Whether it is walking dogs or helping at events, Carol is proud to do anything she can to help animals in need and promote awareness, education and responsible animal care.
April 15-21 is Volunteer Appreciation Week and we celebrate Carol and the thousands of others who donate funds, as well as their time, to the cause.
Thank you Carol! |
Paw Patter
Check it out before you let him out! Your dog, that is.
Baby season is beginning for birds and mammals all over B.C. – skunks
included! Baby skunks (called kits) are usually born in April or May. By the
time they are five to six weeks old, they can already spray, just like an adult
skunk. So, before you let your dog out for the last time at night, check your
yard for skunks. Not only can young skunks spray, but their protective mother
will be on the defensive too!
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 Events coming up this month:
Easter Bake Sale - Trail Fundraiser
Bottle Drive Fundraiser for the Animals - Port Coquitlam
Pub Night Fundraiser - Chilliwack
Wine Tour Fundraiser - Kelowna
"Hay Ewe" day camp for kids - Salmon Arm
Youth Workshop: "Wild Things" - Port Coquitlam
Youth Workshop: "Wild Things" - Vancouver
Annual Silent Auction - Alberni
Youth Workshop: "Wild Things" - Maple Ridge
Youth Workshop: "Wild Things" - South Okanagan/Similkameen
Youth Event: "Craft Club" (Victoria)
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