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BC SPCA
Stolen dog Myster returns to the Penticton SPCA
PENTICTON - The mystery of the missing Myster is a mystery no more. Myster, the one-year-old cane corso-whippet mix, was recovered and returned to the SPCA today, Dec. 8, South Okanagan B.C. SPCA Branch Manager Carolyn Hawkins says. Hawkins says the dog has been taken to an undisclosed location and will be transferred to a...
Kamloops woman wins photo contest with cheeky squirrel photo
KAMLOOPS - It was a cheeky moment caught on camera that earned a Kamloops woman a first place finish in the B.C. SPCA photo contest. Elizabeth King captured a photo of a red squirrel with a delicate flower hanging from its mouth. That photo beat out all other submissions in the backyard habitats category of...
How fostering feral kittens for the Kamloops SPCA gives them a chance at a real home
KAMLOOPS - The phrase ‘labour of love’ pales to describe Valerie Wilson’s commitment to the welfare of animals in Kamloops, even feral cats and kittens. For Wilson, who is an employee at the local SPCA branch and opens up her home to foster animals, their very survival is her responsibility. “You’re saving lives. If you...
Kamloops SPCA needs residents’ help fostering feral kittens
KAMLOOPS – The Kamloops SPCA currently is experiencing an influx of feral kittens and needs the public’s help fostering and resocializing the tiny felines. “It’s vital to catch them at a certain age,” SPCA volunteer Michelle Virdee says adding the cut off age is roughly 12 weeks old. She before the feral kittens can be...
Paws for a Cause set to take over Pioneer Park in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS – The single largest event to fight animal cruelty in Kamloops returns in just over a week. Walkers and their pets will pack Pioneer Park for the B.C. SPCA Paws for a Cause Sunday, Sept. 13. The goal for the event this year is the same as last year, $20,000. Last year the shelter fell...
Hot dog reports surging this year, says SPCA
KELOWNA - Even as they staged a demonstration, the B.C. SPCA received a real hot dog call about an animal left for 45 minutes in vehicle in downtown Kelowna. “This one’s for real,” Kelowna SPCA branch manager Suzanne Pugh said. Pugh was demonstrating an infrared thermometer which allows accurate readings of the inside termperatures of...
Preparing pets for fire evacuations
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – With forest fires encroaching ever closer to homes around the province, the B.C. SPCA is encouraging animal owners to re-evaluate their emergency pet preparedness. Wildfires can quickly lead to evacuation orders and states of emergency, forcing people to leave their homes as quickly as possible. “When you’re ordered to evacuate, you need to...
B.C. SPCA to acquire Penticton Veterinary Hospital
PENTICTON - The local SPCA is receiving a generous gift from a well known Penticton veterinarian. The B.C. SPCA announced June 10 it will be acquiring the Penticton Veterinary Hospital from retiring Penticton veterinarian Dr. Steve Harvey. The hospital will continue to retain existing staff and will offer the same full services to the public,...
Pup with broken leg needs your help
PENTICTON – A 10-month-old puppy who was hit by a car needs a little help from the public to get back on all four paws. Jodi, a black and white Labrador retriever mix, was brought into the South Okangan-Similkameen SPCA with a broken femur and in need of more than $4,000 worth of medical treatment....
Why rescuing that baby wild animal is a bad idea
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Encounters with wild animals don’t happen every day so it’s hard to know what to do when you come across a baby animal you think might have been abandoned by its parents. Fairfield Animal Hospital in Kelowna says this year they have seen more baby wild animals than ever brought to their clinic...
Kamloops kicking tail in the SPCA City Challenge
KAMLOOPS – Looking to repeat its 2014 win, the Kamloops SPCA has taken the lead on Prince George in the annual City Challenge. Kamloops B.C. SPCA branch manager, Charleen Holloway says with only one more week to go, Kamloops has already raised more than $35,000 to Prince George’s $15,000 to 17,000. “It’s for the animals...
South Okanagan winery recognized by the SPCA for doggy love
PENTICTON - An Okanagan Falls winery, which has built a theme around its love for man’s best friend, has caught the attention of the B.C. SPCA. See Ya Later Ranch Winery has been named Caring Company of the Year. The winery has provided the SPCA with more than $150,000 since 2006 through contributions and in-kind...
New pet registry promotes microchip implants
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The SPCA is promoting a new province-wide pet identification registry where animals with microchip implants can have their information stored in a centralized database. "We’ve created a first for British Columbia — a centralized database for pets who receive permanent identification at any B.C. SPCA shelter, veterinarian or microchip clinic across the province,”...
Animal welfare advocate named SPCA volunteer of the year
KAMLOOPS – For more than twenty years, Michelle Virdee has volunteered at the Kamloops B.C. SPCA branch. She has witnessed her share of tragedies and triumphs, all in the name of animal welfare. This week she was acknowledged as B.C. SPCA’s Volunteer of the Year for her dedication not only to the society but to...
SPCA fighting cruelty with kindness
MILLION ACTS OF KINDNESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Even seemingly little things can help make the life of an animal better and B.C. SPCA wants to celebrate 120 years by fighting cruelty with kindness in 2015. The animal advocacy and rescue group launched the Million Acts of Kindness campaign this week. To launch the campaign...
Armstrong horse owner fears for animals being sent to auction
“I HOPE THESE HORSES FIND GENTLE PEOPLE. I HOPE THEY LIVE OUT LONG AND FULL LIVES” ARMSTRONG - The possibility some of his 100 horses may go to slaughter after a court-ordered auction this weekend is not a pleasant thought for Armstrong man Gary Roberts. But that’s the reality the SPCA and the courts have...
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...
Animal cruelty charges laid against Armstrong horse owner
ARMSTRONG - An Armstrong man is facing criminal charges after animal cruelty investigators seized 16 emaciated horses from his care. Gary Roberts, 69, is charged with causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal and failing to provide necessities for an animal. He also faces one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily...
Shipping cats to make room at Kelowna shelter
KELOWNA – The B.C. SPCA in Kelowna has so many cats, staff loaded them into a van and drove them to another shelter in Victoria in hopes of adopting them. With over 100 cats looking for a home at the Kelowna shelter, the SPCA Drive for Lives program transported 21 felines on Thursday. “As soon...
Sale on adoptable cats and kittens
KAMLOOPS – Starting Monday, you can adopt a cat or a kitten at the B.C. SPCA shelter in Kamloops for 50 per cent off. Sara Gerow with the shelter says their facility is coming out of a ringworm quarantine and now have several animals cleared for adoption. “The cats and kittens in particular have been...
Looking for a forever home, Vernon SPCA pet of the week
Mazda Mazda is a very sweet girl who came in to the Vernon SPCA after having a litter of kittens. The little family spent time with one of our foster families and now that her kittens are all weaned Mazda is looking for her new home. She has very pretty tabby markings and is very...
B.C. SPCA frustrated with dog owners who don’t get it
VANCOUVER – Despite ongoing warnings and a public relations campaign some pet owners just don’t get the simple message; don’t leave your dog inside your car. The phones at B.C. SPCA branches throughout the province have been ringing off the hook with cases of hot dogs needing to be rescued. In June, the SPCA constables...
Break-in devastating for SPCA
KAMLOOPS – It isn’t the way staff and volunteers at the Kamloops SPCA wanted to spend Victoria Day, assessing and cleaning up the damage from an overnight break-in. RCMP say they were called to the shelter at 6:30 a.m. to find thieves had smashed in the front door. Sgt. Michael Buxton-Carr says it appears the...
Looking for a forever home, Vernon SPCA pet of the week
Oni This high energy senior is not slowing down any time soon. Oni, an 8 year and 7 month old neutered brindle Boxer cross, came into the SPCA because his previous owners could no longer give him the exercise and attention he needs. Upon meeting Oni, you wouldn't guess he is almost 9 year young....