May 2013
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It’s Be Kind to Animals Month! How do you make sure animals are treated with kindness? Here are just a few different ideas; we’re sure you have plenty of your own, too!

	Become an expert on pet care. To treat animals well, we need to know what they need. Whether you have a pet at home or you’d like to adopt someday, make it your mission to become an expert on caring for that particular animal. You can get started by visiting our Pet Care for Kids section.
	Sign up for summer camp. Spend a week at camp this summer learning everything you can about being kind to animals. Visit with cats, dogs and small animals and join other kids in projects to take action and make a difference. We guarantee you’ll love it!
	Read to Rover. Why not practice your reading aloud while spending some quality time with your cat, dog or small animal? Pets make great reading buddies, so long as they are comfortable sitting with you. Choose a book (the spring issue of Bark! has some great recommendations) and try it out!
	Tell a friend! Forward your copy of e-Kids to a friend who loves animals. The more people who connect about animal issues, the more animals who will be helped.
	Report animal abuse. If an animal needs help, tell the SPCA! The BC SPCA has an Animal Cruelty Reporting Hotline (1-855-622-7722). Post the number on your fridge and ask your parents to put it in their cell phones. Then, if you see an animal in distress*, you’ll know where to call.

*An animal in distress is:

• Deprived of adequate food, water, shelter, ventilation, space, care or veterinary treatment;
• Injured, sick or in pain or suffering; or
• Abused or neglected.

One of the perks of BC SPCA Kids Club membership? Prize giveaways!

To thank BC SPCA Kids Club members for their commitment to helping animals, we’re holding a draw this month to give away a personal copy of Catboy by Eric Walters, donated by Orca Book Publishers. Catboy is featured in the spring issue of Bark! as one of our recommended books for Be Kind to Animals Month. 

Catboy tells the story of Taylor, who has recently moved from a small northern town to the big city of Toronto. Everything in the city is new to Taylor, including the colony of feral cats – cats living wild without guardians – he discovers when taking a shortcut through the junkyard with his new friend, Simon. When a new condominium development threatens the cats’ survival, Taylor vows to come up with a solution. Can Taylor and his friends save the cats in time?

If you’re not yet a Kids Club member, you still have a chance at the prize. Sign up by May 15 and you will be entered, along with all current Kids Club members, to win!

Want to come say hi to some of the animals at the BC SPCA this month? Then our annual Open House series presented by Hill’s® Science Diet® is right up your alley. On May 25 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., you and your family are invited to visit a participating BC SPCA branch for a tour of the shelter, a visit with the animals and fun activities for the whole family!  

The Open House series is part of our Adoption Weekend, taking place May 24, 25 and 26. For those three days, we’re offering reduced adoption fees on cats, dogs and rabbits. So if your family is ready to adopt, this might be the perfect time!

May’s Furry Friend of the Month is Willie, a sweet black and white cat.

First adopted as a kitten from the Parksville SPCA, Willie arrived back at the shelter as a stray, dirty and matted. When Willie’s guardians couldn’t be found, this friendly boy was placed up for adoption. Willie loves to play and receive lots of attention, so he needs a home where he’ll get plenty of love and cuddles!

Please note: Willie 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.

We’re so excited about Be Kind to Animals Month, we made a brand new, special BKTAM colouring sheet for e-Kids readers. Get it today!

And… if you’re looking for some new jokes to crack up your friends, try these!

Q: What game do cows play at parties?
A: Moo-sical chairs!

Q: What do you give a sick bird?
A: Tweetment!

Q: Why are cats good at video games?
A: Because they have nine lives!

Q: What’s a bunny’s motto?
A: Don’t worry, be hoppy!

Q: What’s a mouse’s favourite game?
A: Hide and squeak!

Don’t miss out on the biggest celebration of animals in the province! Register today (with your parent’s permission) for the 2013 Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause on September 8^*. As always, youth ages 17 and under register for free! Raise $15 or more and receive one free year of BC SPCA Kids Club membership as our thanks to you.

We’ve got lots of fun and prizes planned for you, your family and your four-legged friend. Visit our online Kids Zone throughout the summer for all the latest news, prizes and more. We can’t wait to see you in September!

*The date of the walk is different in some cities, so check our website for details in your area!