shelter

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....

Socks, pyjamas, and perfume among items on Christmas wish list for Vernon’s homeless

VERNON - Vernon is once again helping to make Christmas wishes come true for the city’s less fortunate. The Christmas Wish List is a collection of personal stories and wish lists from Vernon’s homeless and shelter clients. Participants are interviewed about themselves, and the gifts that would make their Christmases brighter. The responses are then...

How you can help make the holidays a bit nicer for the Kamloops women living in shelters

KAMLOOPS - If you’re looking to give something back to the community this holiday season, consider taking part in the Shoebox Project to help a local woman feel special. Monique Bastemeijer is leading the Kamloops chapter of the nation-wide gift program, which assists women with lesser means feel pampered. Bastemeijer says the charity has already received...

Vernon homeless camp growing after motel evictions

VERNON - A Vernon homeless camp has grown in the days following an eviction order at the Green Valley Motel, according to shelter workers. Tenants had to be out of the motel by Sept. 1, and while a small number sought lodging at the Gateway Shelter, it appears others have turned to the street, John...

Plan in place to support people evicted from Vernon motel

VERNON - Local organizations have a plan in place to support people evicted from the Green Valley Motel. Tenants must be out of the building by the end of the day today, Aug. 31, and Annette Sharkey from the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan says local organizations, primarily the John Howard Society, are...

Concern for homeless community heightens as temperatures rise

VERNON - While the hot weather forecast has many of us planning fun ways to beat the heat, members of the homeless population are thinking about something else entirely: survival. Imagine heading into 40 Celsius weather with no air conditioning, no hat or sunscreen, and no water. That’s the situation Vernon’s Cammy LaFleur Street Outreach...

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...

Large SPCA fundraiser ready to roll

KAMLOOPS - One of the key fundraisers for the local SPCA branch is less than three weeks away and organizers say they have faith the people of Kamloops will once again come through for the shelter. “They always seem to go smoothly, you have to have faith,” Michelle Virdee says of fundraisers. “The people of...

Locals help SPCA achieve $40,000 goal

KAMLOOPS - The branch manager of the local SPCA is grateful for the outpouring of support from the community for the City Challenge, especially on the heals of a break-in that threatened any hope of reaching the $40,000 goal. After a year of multiple major surgeries, vandalism and ringworm the local shelter was itching to...

SPCA dealing with ringworm, feral cats

KAMLOOPS - Four is not a lucky number the local SPCA right now — for the fourth time this year the shelter had to shut down because of ringworm while they deal with four different feral colonies of cats. Valerie Wilson says the mom and puppies that may have ringworm are in a foster home...

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...

An Armstrong resident invited a homeless man back home for a shower, meal, and shelter

HERE'S WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY  VERNON - A stabbing incident in Armstrong could have been prevented if the assailant had been connected with appropriate support services, according to Vernon’s homeless shelter. Police say the assault happened when a Spallumcheen resident invited a homeless man to his house for a hot shower, a meal,...

Residents ordered to evacuate Gables Hotel

PENTICTON - Residents of the Three Gables Hotel were ordered to evacuate the building yesterday due to unsafe and unhealthy building conditions. Penticton Fire Department officials said the existing building conditions could seriously endanger life or property if there were a fire. The 17 residents were given 48 hours to collect their things and leave....

Homeless deaths inspire memorial and call to action

VERNON - This past winter, Chuck Harper drove past a pair of homeless men he knew well from his work at the local shelter. He was aware of their addictions and health troubles. Having panhandled on the streets of Vernon when he was 16, he didn’t judge or look down on them— he called them...