March 2013
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March is Small Animal Month!

	Whether you’re gaga for guinea pigs or you think mice are nice, you can take part in celebrating all lovable little critters with small animal-themed activities like baking these carrot and banana cookies for your rabbit or guinea pig, colouring this Big Hearts for Small Animals poster or challenging yourself with this small animal word search!
	Already have a small animal at home? Make sure you have a copy of the BC SPCA Small Animal Care Guide for your pet. We’ve got guides for rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, rats, hamsters and mice! Bonus for BC SPCA Kids Club members: In the spring (April) issue of Bark! magazine, discover how to build a small animal play gym in your bathtub! (Not a Kids Club member? Sign up today!)
	Don’t have a small animal, but think you might like to adopt one? Before visiting the shelter, learn all about the different types of small animals and the specific care they need. Then, if your family is ready to adopt a little critter, check out small animals available for adoption online!

In honour of Small Animal Month, some BC SPCA branches are holding Big Hearts for Small Animals spring break youth camps. Find out more and sign up online.

You’ve heard of training your dog to sit or your cat to use the litter box, but did you know that small animals can also be trained? Check out these videos:

• The mouse guardian in this video uses positive reinforcement to teach mice fun tricks like skateboarding and playing basketball!
• The trainer in this video uses a “clicker” to train rabbits with positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement means rewarding behaviour that you want an animal to do so that he associates it with something good, like getting praise or a special treat. When this happens, he’s more likely to repeat the behaviour!

This month’s featured Happy Ending animal is Tofu the hamster!

Tofu found her happy ending after being featured as a BC SPCA Pet on the Net. A nice family read the story of how Tofu’s previous guardians surrendered her to the SPCA – and they decided to give her the loving home she deserves!

Tofu’s forever family members describe her as a “curious little explorer” and say that she loves to run around in her exercise ball while they supervise. Congratulations on finding your forever home, Tofu!

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 go out to all youth who participated in the first-ever National Cupcake Day for SPCAs & Humane Societies on February 25!

	Students in the SPCA school club at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary had a delicious time making a difference for animals. Check out this photo of the cupcakes they made with the help of TV’s Cupcake Girls!
	Jessica, Mandy and Tatiana made this incredible pirate-themed pull-apart cupcake display! Not only did the girls’ cake help animals in need, it also took home first prize in National Cupcake Day’s youth decorating contest. Congratulations!

March’s Furry Friend of the Month is Heather, a two-month-old dwarf rabbit.

Heather was born at the BC SPCA after her mother was found abandoned and pregnant with a litter; she’s been staying with her mom and siblings in a foster home. Heather likes fresh veggies and exploring her surroundings. She doesn’t mind being picked up and is even trained to use a litter box! Heather needs a family to give her the care and affection she needs for the rest of her life.

Please note: Heather 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.