Dear friend,

Thank you to everyone who has offered their feedback on important animal issues through our brief online survey. Your views are being used to help guide our plans for programs and services for animals from 2014-2018.

More than 4,000 people have already responded and the survey has now been extended until June 15. Please let us know your priorities by taking the 10 minute survey today.

Thank you for your continued support.

Much appreciation,
Lorie Chortyk
General Manager, Community Relations

PS. You can multiply your impact! Forward this message to friends, family and colleagues.

June 2013
Issue 124

Snowflake may have a disability (she’s deaf), but her ability to love knows no bounds!

Wouldn't you like to come home to the quirky mew and gentle purr of this sweet girl?

Click here to read more about Snowflake. 

Due to a rare, seizure-causing disorder, Squid wasn’t expected to live past her first birthday.

Despite all odds, Squid recently celebrated turning three-years-old alongside her loving foster-mom-turned-permanent-guardian.

Read more about Squids's happy ending story

Heroes honoured at annual BC SPCA awards dinner

The BC SPCA paid tribute to some exceptional heroes to the animals on May 31 at its annual awards ceremony in Vancouver.

The ceremony honours veterinarians, volunteers, media outlets, philanthropists and companies who go above and beyond to help animals in need across B.C.

Pigs need room to move

Confining sow stalls, barren concrete housing and painful procedures are welfare concerns affecting 27 million pigs raised in Canada each year.

Help advocate for better animal welfare on farms by adding your voice to the public comment process for the new Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs and taking the pig pledge!

Once finalized, the Pig Code will create new minimum standards and guide the purchasing policies of Canada’s biggest food retailers.

Summer camps are filling fast

Hurry to secure your child a spot in a BC SPCA “Among Animals” day camp. Kids will have an unforgettable week playing games, performing skits, making crafts and meeting animals. They might just forget they are learning!

Register now at one of our 19 camp locations across the province.

Burnaby and New Westminster animal lovers could see their gifts double

All gifts received to the SPCA Burnaby Branch by July 15, up to $20,000, will double thanks to a wonderful offer from local supporters Rosann Youck and Jeff Giesbrecht to match supporters’ donations.

They can't meet the goal without help from local animal lovers. The $40,000 total would cover animals’ medical costs at the branch this year.

You can sign up to tell your family and friends, or make a donation here.

Challenge yourself to change the lives of animals in need

It’s not too late to make a difference! Join Team BC SPCA and run the half-marathon or 5k in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge on June 23 in Vancouver.

Put yourself to the test by committing to your fitness while raising essential funds for B.C.’s most vulnerable animals.

Register today and we will provide you with comprehensive fundraising and training support.

SPCA Certified and Farmers’ Markets: a perfect match!

Farmers’ markets are a perfect way to give your direct support to an SPCA Certified farmer. 

From early summer until fall, farmers’ markets feature SPCA Certified chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lamb, cheeses and cage-free eggs. It’s the perfect time to meet the farmers, ask questions and purchase ethical products!

More…

Dogs driven to heat exhaustion

In hot weather, cars become ovens for pets. If it is 26 C outside, the inside temperature of a car can reach 37 C in as little as 10 minutes – far too hot for dogs to cool themselves.

If your dog’s temperature reaches beyond her core temperature of 38 C, cell and organ damage begins to occur. 

How do you cool a pet quickly? See our factsheet.

Join us for our biggest day of the year!

This summer you can change the lives of animals in need by fundraising for the Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause. 

Register today to walk with us on September 8* and join thousands of participants (and just as many pets!) across the province to raise $1 million for animals.

Start fundraising now. Our top ten fundraisers by the end of June will receive super-comfy BC SPCA hoodies!

*Date may vary. Check our site for local details.

The babies are here!

Baby season is in full swing for wildlife rehabilitators across the province. Centres are busy caring for animals around the clock. Some, like baby hummingbirds, require feeding every 15 minutes!

It is crucial that only those wild animals most at risk enter treatment because centres have limited resources.

You can help by knowing when to step in and provide assistance, and when to leave them alone.

Annual Open House presented by Hill’s® Science Diet® and Adoption Weekend a big success this year

The May 26 Annual Open House was a success and the BC SPCA would like to thank Hill’s® Science Diet® for their annual support.

In addition to a great family-fun day, the adoption weekend promotion saw a big increase in adoptions over last year, when 68 animals were adopted. The May 25-27 adoption promotion resulted in 161 animals (92 cats, 59 kittens and 10 rabbits) finding forever homes.

Donor of the month: Buckerfield's

This June, the BC SPCA is recognizing a long-time supporter, Buckerfield’s. 

As a consistent supporter of the Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause and a partner for the Satellite Adoption Program, Buckerfield’s has helped thousands of animals receive the love and care they deserve.

The BC SPCA is grateful to Buckerfield’s and its customers for their continued generosity and we invite our branches to name homeless animals Bucky this month in their honour.

Paw Patter

Sweltering swine? Pigs are unable to sweat, so when the weather heats up, they wallow in mud. As the mud evaporates, pigs release a few degrees of body heat. Mud is more effective than water alone because it takes longer to evaporate - the cooling effects last longer. 

Events coming up this month:

BC SPCA Farmer's Markets on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (various locations throughout B.C. and Alberta)

BC SPCA Victoria Tuxes & Tails Gala

8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament (Kelowna)

Dublin Castle Charity Car Wash & Patio Party

2013 BC SPCA Summer Camps for Kids (various locations)

All for the Animals - Ledgeview Golf & Country Club (Abbotsford)