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November 2012
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It makes sense that BC SPCA Heroes Month comes in November, when we take time to
remember the thousands of heroes who have served Canada in times of war. We
wear poppies and observe a moment of silence on November 11 to honour the brave
men and women who have risked or given their lives for our freedom.
Did you know that animals have also made sacrifices in wartimes? At the Peace Tower in
Ottawa there is a special engraving in a stone archway which honours the
animals who served in the First World War. Animals also served before that time
and have continued to serve ever since. Here are some of those animals and some
of the ways they have helped.
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Dogs, known for their loyalty, have used their noses to sniff
for dangerous gases and explosive bombs and landmines, as well as to find
missing soldiers. They’ve carried messages around their necks into dangerous
combat zones (cats have done this, too). They have also acted as companions and
mascots to groups of soldiers. Other animal mascots have included rabbits,
cats, goats and donkeys.
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Cats have played an extremely important
role for soldiers – as their pets. It can be very lonely for soldiers to live
away from their families for such a long time. Cats, as well as dogs, ferrets,
mice and birds have offered necessary comfort and companionship.
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Pigeons, with a good sense of direction and
ability to fly as fast as 100 kilometres per hour, were tasked with delivering
important messages during WWI and WWII. Canaries
were another bird with a crucial role; when soldiers dug tunnels, they detected
toxic gases that would otherwise go unnoticed – and saved lives as a result
(mice did this, too!).
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Donkeys, mules, reindeer and camels. Along with horses, all of these animals
served during the First and Second World Wars to carry supplies – and sometimes
soldiers. Donkeys and mules served in the mountains of Italy and the jungles of
Asia. Reindeer helped in the Arctic while camels worked in the desert.
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Glow worms helped soldiers by allowing them to
read messages and maps in the dark. Rather than lanterns, which would have
tipped off the enemy, the worms’ soft blue-green light went undetected.
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Some very special animals – 64 in total – have been awarded the Dickin Medal, also known as the Animals’ Victoria Cross.
Established in 1943, the Dickin Medal recognizes animals who have displayed
“conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any
branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units.” The first animals to
receive the medal, on December 2, 1943, were three pigeons who carried
life-saving messages during WWII. The most recent animal awarded the medal, on
October 25, 2012, was Theo, who served as an arms and explosives search dog in
Afghanistan.
 Over the past
three years, a new project to honour war animals has been underway; this month,
the Animals in War Dedication was unveiled in a ceremony in Ottawa’s Confederation Park.
This
Remembrance Day, when you think of all of the brave people who have sacrificed their
lives, take a moment to remember the animals, too. Want to do more? Make a
poster, write a poem or perform a play as a tribute.
They may be
small, but these animals – and others just like them – need big amounts of love
and care. They’re at the BC SPCA, waiting for their forever homes.
Please note:
These animals were available for adoption at the time this article was written,
and may have found their forever homes since then. Visit the BC SPCA
website to discover more small animals currently looking for homes. We
always have lots!
New to
e-Kids? Want to learn even more and make a difference for animals? Discover the
club that more than 5,000 kids already know about! If you’re 13 or under and
you love animals, the BC SPCA Kids Club is for you.
 Along with
the e-Kids newsletter you are already receiving, your $15 ($25 outside of
Canada) membership includes a special Kids Club kit, official membership card,
collector button, Animal Action activity booklet and, best of all, the BC
SPCA’s exclusive youth magazine, Bark!,
delivered to your door four times a year.
The first 10
people who sign up online after receiving this November 2012
e-Kids will win a bonus gift
with their subscription!
Join today
and add your voice to the club that speaks for animals.
Every animal at the BC SPCA has its own unique look and personality. Starting this
month, we will feature the photo and story of one Furry Friend in each issue of
e-Kids News.
 Earlier
this year, Chloe
wandered into a stranger’s yard in Williams Lake. As she had no identification,
she was brought to the BC SPCA shelter. Soon after, Chloe gave birth to a
litter of kittens. Thankfully, we were able to find new homes for her kittens.
Chloe has now been spayed and given a microchip ID and is waiting at the BC SPCA Quesnel Branch for a
forever family of her own.
Please note: Chloe was available for adoption at the time this article was written,
and may have found her forever home since then. Visit the BC SPCA
website to discover more furry friends currently looking for homes.
 This month, BC SPCA youth workshops are all about careers helping critters! If you live in or
around one of the following communities, there’s still time to sign up for a fun-filled workshop. You might just discover your dream job!
Penticton – Nov. 10
Richmond – Nov. 13
West Vancouver – Nov. 23
Victoria – Nov. 23
Vancouver – Nov. 30
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