Dear friend,
May is Be Kind to Animals Month, when communities across
B.C. celebrate the unique bond we share with our furry friends.
One of
the important ways that you can make a difference is to share your opinions
about animal issues in our BC SPCA survey during May. Information gathered in
this short survey will be used to guide the BC SPCA program and services during
its 2014-18 strategic plan. We hope you will take a few minutes to
provide your valuable insights into how the SPCA can best serve animals in your
community.
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.
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May 2013 Issue 123
Meadow is stunning, long haired grey feline. Her favourite things to do include looking absolutely fabulous, snuggling with other cats and sleeping all day.
Is Meadow your kind of kitty? Read more about Meadow.
Previously abandoned for more than a month by his
former guardians, Eggnog now enjoys everything a cat could ask for—including access to the bathroom sink for some much-deserved relaxation time!
Read more about Eggnog's happy ending story
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BC SPCA seeks public input on animal issues
The BC SPCA is seeking public input about
pressing animal issues facing B.C. communities as it begins a strategic
planning process to guide its programs and services from 2014 to 2018.
A link
to a short online survey will be posted on the BC SPCA
website throughout May for feedback.
“As a charity that relies on community
support, we always have to evaluate and assess how we can use our limited
resources most effectively for the animals,” says BC SPCA CEO Craig Daniell.
“Public comment is an important part of our decision-making and we hope people
will take the time to offer their views.”
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You’re
invited!
The
BC SPCA invites you to visit your local SPCA for an animal-themed day of fun
this month. Open House events, presented by Hill’s® Science
Diet®, will take place on Saturday, May 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at most SPCA
locations across B.C. (check your local branch website beginning May 13 for more details).
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Be
kind to animals this May – and all year round
May
is Be Kind to Animals Month, a perfect chance to give back to the animals who
play such an important role in our lives.
Do you know how you will be
celebrating yet? The BC SPCA has a few
suggestions to get you started.
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Register
today for the 2013 Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws
for a Cause!
This September 8*, you can give hope to the animals that need you
most. Register for the
Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause
and join thousands across the province to raise $1 million for the life-saving
work of BC SPCA branches.
Start your fundraising now! Register in May to receive a 50% discount on
your walk’s registration fee. The top fundraiser in May will receive two gift certificates
for Coast Hotels & Resorts.
*Date varies in some B.C. communities. Check the event site for local
walk details.
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Cast
your vote with animals in mind
Millions
of farm, companion and wild animals call British Columbia home. None of them
get to cast a ballot in the upcoming provincial election on May 14, but you do!
Regardless
of how you plan to vote, you can help animals by voicing your concerns to party
leaders, candidates and campaign volunteers who phone or come knocking on doors
during the election campaign. Read more about how to share your opinion about animal welfare
with our leaders.
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BC
SPCA summer camps have something for everyone
Where
can kids hang out with kittens, examine owl pellets, meet goats, make
hummingbird feeders and play salmon spawning tag – all in one day? BC SPCA
summer camps strike the perfect balance of entertainment and learning. Specially designed games, activities, skits and crafts allow kids to have a blast while
discovering the world of animals and animal welfare issues.
Camps
are filling fast! Register
online for various locations across the province.
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Challenge yourself to change the lives of animals in need
Join Team BC SPCA and
run the half-marathon or 5k in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge 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. Up for the challenge?
Register today and we will provide you with comprehensive
fundraising and training support.
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How many
days have you loved your pet?
We're celebrating the joy of pet guardianship and we want pet
lovers to join us! From May 1 to 15, share your pet photos on Facebook and Twitter telling
us how many days you've loved your pet.
Your pet’s photo may be included in our
“I’ve Been
Loved” Pinterest board or in an upcoming BC SPCA video to promote
pet adoption.
Find out how you can participate.
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Inside the Henhouse
Each year in B.C., more than two million hens lay 636 million
eggs. That's approximately 275 eggs per year per hen! Ninety-five per cent of
these birds live on conventional egg laying farms where they spend their
entire lives in small, cramped cages called battery cages.
But are battery cages necessary for egg production? Watch our
video Inside the
Henhouse to hear from animal welfare scientist Dr. Ian Duncan and learn
more about how hens are raised in Canada.
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Owner of
dog left in dumpster pleads guilty
Brian
Whitlock, the owner of a two-year-old German shepherd who was found wrapped in
a bloody blanket inside a Vancouver dumpster on July 18, 2012, entered a guilty
plea on April 9 in the
case.
The critically injured dog, named Captain, was conscious but
unresponsive and was suffering from serious lacerations and massive bruising to
his head and body. Despite intensive, around-the-clock care Captain succumbed
to his severe injuries and died of cardiac arrest the following day.
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Donor of the month: Brian Jessel BMW
This spring, Brian Jessel BMW of
Vancouver led the way to success for the BC SPCA’s first National Cupcake Day
fundraiser.
By providing more than 600 cupcakes
and generously matching all donations, the dealership raised an impressive $6877
in support of homeless, neglected and abused animals. Their remarkable
achievement earned Brian Jessel the title of top fundraising team in B.C.
In honour of their generous support,
we invite our branches to name homeless animals Brian this month.
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Paw Patter
Talk
about kindness to animals! At just three years old, Aubrey is
already making a big difference in her community. She collected $216 at her
birthday and donated the money to the Kamloops SPCA to help animals in need. High
Paws, Aubrey!
For
more inspirational stories like Aubrey’s, visit our youth High Paws.
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Events coming up this month:
2013 Community Challenge (Kamloops vs. Prince George)
Go Loonie for the SPCA fundraiser (Campbell River)
The Ramada Hotel Presents The Dog Days of Summer BC SPCA Gala (Prince George)
BC SPCA Annual Open House presented by Hill’s® Science Diet® (various branches across BC)
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