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animals

How the SPCA approves dog rescue groups

VERNON - There’s a wide range of standards among rescue groups across the province, and while animals are directly involved, that doesn’t mean the SPCA has a hand in how they operate.  Aspects of dog rescuing such as fostering and adoption procedures, holding periods, and vet-checks simply aren’t something the SPCA has a mechanism to...

The free-for-all of ‘dog rescuing’ and why so much falls through the cracks

“IT’S LIKE THE WILD WEST” VERNON - The words ‘dog rescue’ may have a ring of nobility to them, but according to animal welfare advocates, many home-based operations aren’t what you think. Kim Faulkes, an Ottawa-based animal advocate, says there are no standards in place to ensure so-called ‘dog rescues’ operate ethically. “It’s a free-for-all....

Why this Vernon dog rescue wasn’t the saving grace it claimed to be

"I THINK SHE IS A DOG FLIPPER AND NOT SOMEBODY WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT DOGS" VERNON - After 16 years working in animal welfare, Patricia Zerr was never asked to steal a dog — until the winter of 2014 after she got involved with a Vernon-based dog rescue. She remembers driving to a home on...

Rats don’t deserve to suffer horrible deaths: B.C. SPCA

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - As the topic of rats and how to deal with their rising numbers becomes a more common conversation in the Thompson-Okanagan, the SPCA is reminding the public even pests deserve to be treated humanely. Sara Dubois, the chief scientific officer for the B.C. SPCA, says many rat extermination practices are inhumane and potentially...

Family with prohibited pet pig appeals to Vernon council

VERNON - This little piggy wants to stay home, but a little known Vernon bylaw stands in the way. In the hope of keeping their pet pig Felix, a local family is asking Vernon council for a variance to the Animal Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw, which states swine cannot be kept within the city,...

Vernon vet clinic goes beyond the call of duty to help animals in need

VERNON - The Creekside Animal Clinic in Vernon has been giving back to the community almost as long as it’s been operating — which is getting close to 30 years now. Founding partner Dr. Murray Flock says it’s just the clinic’s culture to have a charitable side, and at Creekside, that means emergency surgeries for...

The amazing tale of Peaches the horse

FALKLAND - You might notice something slightly unusual about Peaches, a rescue horse in the North Okanagan. The Arabian/ Quarter Horse cross has only a stump where her tail should be. When Outbackjack’s Horse Rescue in Falkland took her in, she had a football-sized tumour on her tail. The surgery would cost $1,800. “People said...

By the numbers: Vernon SPCA at a glance

VERNON - Here are some things you might not know about the Vernon branch of the SPCA. It costs the non-profit roughly $665 to shelter a single cat. Over the course of a year, the branch goes through some 52 jugs of laundry detergent. The facility runs on six employees and 75 volunteers. Branch manager...

Rescuing a horse? Here’s what you’re getting into

“AT THIS POINT, EVERYONE’S THINKING WITH THEIR HEARTS” ARMSTRONG - We’ve seen a lot of generosity and kindness in the weeks following an animal cruelty case, but the SPCA is cautioning people not to let good intentions cloud their judgement. Armstrong man Gary Roberts faces two charges of animal cruelty, and has been court ordered...

Increased fines would better protect animal welfare says Vernon SPCA

VERNON - The Vernon SPCA wants local governing bodies to look at ways of improving animal welfare through the use of bylaws and fines. Branch manager Chelsea Taylor came before Vernon council Monday, Jan. 26, to highlight some of the things the city, and the North Okanagan Regional District, could do for animals in the...

Power back on at CrocTalk animal rescue… for now

KELOWNA – You might say he’s caught between a hot rock and a hard place. Doug Illman is the owner and operator of CrocTalk Conservation and Rescue, a reptile rehabilitation and education centre in Southeast Kelowna. With more than 50 animals including adult crocodiles, exotic cats, fish and birds, the centre functions as both a...

The altruism of Facebook: How a rescue of two bear cubs was aided by strangers

REVELSTOKE – Angelika Langren and her husband Peter have rescued so many bear cubs through the years, it's become a regular routine. But their planned trip to Golden had several hangups last Thanksgiving weekend when they picked up two grizzly bear cubs. Despite the challenges, the couple learned a few lessons about the kindness of...

HELSTON: Don’t be afraid to call the conservation officer

Residents across the Interior contacted the conservation service over the past year to report wildlife encounters ranging from simple sightings to bizarre and in some cases, tragic extremes. There was a cougar found inside a Vernon home chewing on a squeaky toy, a pack of wolves that killed a woman’s dog in Merritt, aggressive coyotes...

How the Penticton Indian Band is handling wild horses

PENTICTON - Wild horses are becoming a greater problem in Penticton as they continue to wander off band land and onto highways, causing injury to themselves and drivers. But despite the need to remove hundreds of horses, the band chief says there will always be horses on their land.  There are over 600 horses on...

Vernon City Hall wouldn’t be the same without Ollie

VERNON - Ollie trots in to work at Vernon City Hall around 8 a.m. and heads to his desk in the engineering department. Well, actually he heads under it, because Ollie is no ordinary city staffer—he’s an office dog. The five-year-old schnauzer spends a lot of his day-job snoozing under owner Ken Juniper’s desk in...

The Vernon SPCA needs your help

VERNON - The Vernon SPCA needs a little help from its friends. Branch manager Chelsea Taylor says donations are down at the moment. The non-profit organization relies on the public not only financially, but through donated cat litter, laundry detergent, garbage bags and other essential items. “We seem to be running out of those (items)...

I spy: Have you seen these endangered species of the South Okanagan?

PENTICTON - The South Okanagan is a vast land full of rare, strange and interesting creatures. And it is known as one of the most at risk regions in all of Canada, according to the South Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Program. Most at-risk species can be divided into four categories: Wetlands, grasslands, forests and riparian areas. Here’s...

Extraordinary animal tales of the North Okanagan

VERNON - Have you ever seen a hen raise a flock of ducklings? A dog adopt a piglet? What about a horse herding a bear? The North Okanagan has it all in terms of extraordinary animal encounters. There was Coldstream resident Val Buchanan, also known as Farmer Val, and the story that hatched when she...

Pet rescues underway in Smith Creek fire zone

WEST KELOWNA - An animal rescue team is doing everything possible to ensure no pet is left behind while a forest fire rages in West Kelowna. The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) has recovered over 60 animals from the evacuation zone near Smith Creek, including 16 horses, 21 cats and 21 dogs. Spokesperson Petra...

Your help is needed to identify bullfrogs

PENTICTON - The Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship in partnership with the provincial government are looking for help locating bullfrog sites in the South Okanagan. The organization needs volunteer citizen scientists to help monitor bullfrogs over the next two weeks. Pond searches take place in July and a free Bullfrog Identification and Inventory Workshop will be held...

IN PHOTOS: Baby farm animals that will make you go ‘awww’

KELOWNA - As the weather warms up new crops appear and baby animals take their first, uncertain steps. Here are a few photos of baby animals starting their lives at some of the many farms around Kelowna.  Send your best seasonal photos to news@infonews.ca. %%Embed1%% To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw...

Never leave a pet inside a hot car: SPCA

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The weather is getting hot, and drivers are rolling down their windows, feeling the breeze in their hair as they drive along. But don’t forget, your pets also need to feel the wind in their fur, or at least a cool breeze. Every year, pets are killed from the heat in hot cars. The...