The BC SPCA

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January 2013
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Yappy New Year!

Happy New Year from e-Kids!

We’re getting ready for another busy year at the BC SPCA. Did you know that the BC SPCA cares for approximately 32,000 animals every year? That’s a lot of leashes and litter boxes! Thankfully we have thousands of amazing supporters who help these animals by adopting, volunteering, donating and spreading awareness in their communities. Bark! magazineWe’re excited to work together to help all the animals we can in 2013. Will you join us?

The Winter 2013 issue of Bark! magazine is chock-full of ways that kids like you can help animals:

  • Learn how you can get involved with the BC SPCA, including our first-ever National Cupcake Day (we’ll even give you a delicious cupcake recipe to use!).
  • Get ideas on real projects to help you put your compassion into action at school.
  • Discover Dare to Care and take the Five Freedoms Pledge.

BC SPCA Kids Club members will find Bark! in their mailboxes later this month. Not a Kids Club member yet? Subscribing is easy online!

Pet Care Tip

Train your cat to sit!

Sitting catThink only dogs can be taught tricks? Think again! Challenge your cat’s intelligence by training her. Start with the basic command, “sit.” This is a good place to start because cats sit naturally, so you can praise your cat for doing what she already does on her own.

  • First, put some treats in your hand and then go hang out in the same room as your cat while she’s wandering around. Don’t bother your cat, just wait quietly. As soon as she sits on her own, give her a treat and say, “Good sit!” in an enthusiastic voice. You can do this several times, but no longer than five minutes – you don’t want her to get bored or frustrated.
  • The next day, go to the same room with your cat and repeat the exercise. Do this for a few more days, then switch to every other day. If your cat doesn’t catch on right away, that’s okay. While she’s standing, try showing her the treat, raising it above her head as she watches and saying, “Sit.” When she does sit, say, “Good sit!” and give her the treat.
  • Once your cat has figured out how to sit on command, repeat the exercise in a different room (stick with five minutes a day, every other day). She may not get it right away because the environment is different, but soon enough she’ll be willing to sit whenever you ask.

Can’t get enough of cats? Find lots of fun facts on both cats and dogs in the next issue of Bark! magazine. Plus, get the chance to win a Canon PowerShot A1300 camera and Lowepro camera case by entering the Comfy Critters Contest!

Furry Friend of the Month

January’s Furry Friend of the Month is Edgar, a 10-month-old Dwarf cross rabbit.

EdgarEdgar’s previous guardians surrendered him to the BC SPCA Chilliwack Branch when they were moving and could not take Edgar with them. Edgar is sweet and friendly with adults and kids; rather than be picked up, he likes to crawl into any comfy-looking lap to cuddle. Edgar has been “cage trained,” meaning that he liked to freely hop about his previous house, but knew to go back to his cage to go to the bathroom. We can’t wait for Edgar to find his perfect forever home!

Please note: Edgar was available for adoption at the time this article was written, and may have found his forever home since then. Visit the BC SPCA website to discover more furry friends currently looking for homes.

Happy Endings

Thank you to Kiana for sending in a Happy Ending story about her adopted dog, Gypsy.

Before Gypsy found her forever home with Kiana’s family, she was living in a pack and struggling to find enough food to eat. Luckily someone saw Gypsy and rescued her.

Gypsy's Happy EndingIt was hard to tell because she was so skinny, but Gypsy was also pregnant with puppies. After she had her puppies and was nursed back to health, Gypsy was ready to be placed for adoption. Kiana’s Gramma saw Gypsy online and decided to give her a home.

Kiana helps to care for Gypsy by brushing, feeding and giving her medicine when she is sick. Gypsy still gets scared sometimes but is well-behaved when she goes for walks and loves people and squirrels.

Do you have a Happy Ending story of your own to tell? We want to hear it! Email us at kids@spca.bc.ca to let us know how your pet is doing in his new home. Include a photo or drawing of you and your companion, too!

High Paws

We’ve recently updated the High Paws Hall of Fame!

 Megan

Congratulations to our most recent inductees, including 10-year-old Megan. Megan held not just one, but three events to raise funds and awareness – raising a total of $57.50 for the animals!

Would you like to spread the word about helping animals through a fundraising or awareness event (or three!)? There are plenty of things you can do! Here are some ideas from our High Paws Hall of Famers:

 Brenna

Brenna raised $100 at her birthday party by asking each guest to bring a donation instead of a gift. Do you have a birthday coming up? Consider asking each guest to bring a toonie or a pet toy to donate.

 Kelsey

Kelsey registered for the Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause and collected $6,131.86. Do you like talking to lots of different people? Setting up a booth at a mall or outside a pet supply store might be up your alley! Remember to ask an adult to come with you and make sure you have permission from the store manager.

 Lake Trail Middle School

Four students from Lake Trail Middle School created a claymation film, about a dog who was abandoned by his guardian, in order to raise awareness about animal cruelty. If you’re the creative type, use your talents to make a video or poster about an animal issue important to you, then share it with others to spread the word.

Want more ideas? Check out the next issue of Bark! magazine for ideas on projects you can participate in at home or at school. 

 

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