Cocoa has a favour to ask…

There are less than 16 days left to fundraise. Please register or donate today to help us reach our provincial goal of raising $950,000 for the animals!

Hello B.C.! There are less than 16 days left in this year’s Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause…Walk for the Animals, and I have something to ask of you…

As a cat who currently resides at the Vancouver SPCA shelter, I know just how important the work that the BC SPCA does is. I’ve heard countless stories of injured, stray and abandoned animals that have been helped by wonderful staff and volunteers. I, myself, arrived at the BC SPCA after my guardian passed away. It was a sad time for me, losing my person and having to adjust to a new environment, but it helps so much to know that there are people out there that care… people just like you.

If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll get involved in this year’s campaign by registering online and raising crucial funds to help animals in need at your local shelter. You can also follow my example and download a pledge form here to collect cash and cheque pledges to hand in at your local walk.

Or, if you are unable to attend your local walk, you can help brighten my shelter days by making a secure online donation to support The Cats. We’re just over halfway to our goal of raising $2,400 for the animals. Donate now.

Oh, and if you are looking for a wonderful cat like me to welcome into your home, please click here to find out more about me. I hope to find my forever home soon. In the meantime… have fun at the walk!

Did you know that the Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause campaign also helps farm animals?

Guest Post by the BC SPCA Farm Team

Support The Farm Animals today! Please click the photo above.

In addition to helping thousands of companion and wild animals, the BC SPCA also works to improve the lives of the more than 100 million farm animals raised in B.C. each year. As the only SPCA in Canada with staff resources dedicated to improving farm animal welfare, the BC SPCA’s farm team in a national leader in this field. Our initiatives include:

Pressing for better national standards of care for farm animals:
Just this year a new Canadian Code of Practice for Dairy Cattle was published, with 60 clear requirements (not just recommendations) regarding the welfare of dairy cows. The BC SPCA represented Canadian SPCA’s on the development committee. Learn more here.

Improving on-farm welfare through the SPCA Certified program:
SPCA Certified is a unique program that certifies farms (22 to date and counting!) to the BC SPCA’s high standards of farm animal welfare. By buying SPCA Certified eggs, cheese and meats, you are ‘voting’ for change in the marketplace and ensuring that the welfare needs of farm animals are met. Funds raised also help us oversee and expand the list of farms currently adhering to the BC SPCA’s high standards. Learn more here and here.

Improving the laws intended to protect farm animals during transport:
Animals raised on farms are regularly transported on extremely long journeys, but current regulations do not adequately protect their welfare in transit. The BC SPCA has been pressing the Federal Government to ‘Get on Board’ with higher standards like the regulations in place in other developed countries. Your support will ensure that the BC SPCA can continue to speak on behalf of the 650 million farm animals transported each year over long distances and in crowded conditions across the country. Learn more here.

Support The Farm Animals today:
Donate to or join this Provincial Pack and all funds raised go directly to supporting the BC SPCA’s Farm Animal Welfare Department. They need to raise about $2,200 more to reach their goal. You can help!

Don’t forget to register at spca.bc.ca/walk for your local walk. There are less than 24 days to go.

Plus here’s a fun farm-friendly fundraising idea straight from our flock:

Sell tickets to a dinner party or brunch at your house featuring SPCA Certified specialty meats, artisan cheeses and cage-free eggs. Click here for recipe ideas.

See you there!

It’s ON!

Each year at the BC SPCA Provincial Office, we divide the office and have a little “challenge” to see who can raise the most money. This year, things are getting interesting with very reputations at stake!

It seems the Revenue Development “Rev Dev” Department decided to challenge “Everyone Else” to a fundraising showdown. What was the reply? It’s ON!

What's your guess?

Great fundraising ideas have been popping up all over the office, which you can try at your workplace:

• e-mail bingo;
• a snack shop;
• pop and popsicle sales;
• jellybean guessing contest;
• sailing trips;
• and more!

I’ve also been trying to convince one of our very talented cupcake makers for two years now to do by-donation baking lessons. I’m pretty sure that the entire office wants the secret to her great vegan cupcake recipes! Do you have a talent you can turn into a fundraiser for the animals?

Team Rev Dev is selling lots of yummy treats at their snack shop!

It’s sure to be a fun few weeks to follow.

If you want to see how our Office Packs are doing so far, or support them with a secure online donation, please click on the links below to visit their online fundraising pages:

Rev Dev

Everyone Else

Well, I think I’m going to go grab a popsicle to beat the Vancouver heat and support the office challenge. Why don’t you take a moment to share your workplace fundraising ideas and stories by commenting on this blog post. Or if you haven’t already, please register to join us for the 2009 Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause… Walk for the Animals. It’s the largest fundraising campaign in support of animals in the province, with walks taking place in 39 B.C. communities this year. See you at the finish line (and of course on the blog leading up to the big day!)

“Deer” friends…

Here's a picture of me that was taken at Wild ARC.

Hi there. I’m a young Black-tailed deer. I was found alone one day, just sitting quietly on someone’s lawn in Saanich. Of course, I was just resting and enjoying the weather, but when my finders saw no sight of my mom for two hours, they thought I needed help.

I remember first being brought to the Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital, since it was quite late at the time. I was then brought to Wild ARC in the morning, and the people that examined me said that I was very alert and healthy. Rather than orphaned by my mom, I had been mistakenly kidnapped! But they were very helpful and reassuring, and brought me right back to my spot in the yard to be reunited with my mom. I was so happy to see her!

The truth is, me and my newborn deer friends often stop for a break while our moms go off and forage during the day. It can be tough keeping up sometimes for our little legs! Though we may seem orphaned, injured, ill or in distress, more times than not we’re just patiently waiting for our moms to return.

Remember: It’s best to call Wild ARC before touching any wild animal, especially babies. You can reach them at (250) 478-9453.

Oh, and before I forget, if you want to help raise funds to help wild animals in need, you can join or donate to The Wild Animals. Click here to check out their provincial Pack fundraising page.

You can also register online to participate in the 2009 Annual Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause…Walk for the Animals and raise funds for animals at your local shelter.

So keep fundraising, reach for the top and thank you for all you do to help companion, farm and wild animals in B.C.!

Who is Misty? Watch this video to find out:

Team up with a campaign for all animals – companion, farm and wild. Click here to register for the 2009 Annual Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause…Walk for the Animals and help raise crucial funds for animals in need of our care and protection. Or visit spca.bc.ca/walk for more information.

Not just one animal, but thousands.

The BC SPCA has been rescuing animals, like Star here with longtime SPCA volunteer Alan Stirling, and providing temporary care and shelter until residents are able to return home and be reunited with their animal companions.

Right now is a busy time for the BC SPCA. If you follow the headlines, you’ve probably heard that the Kelowna branch – with the help of wonderful foster families, local businesses and community support – is helping care for about 569 animals whose families were evacuated during the wildfires. Branches provincewide are also caring for more than 3,000 cats, leaving some turning dog kennels into temporary homes for groups of cats to manage the need.

All the while, in times of urgency, the generous support of kind-hearted animal-lovers like you makes our efforts to protect and care for animals in need possible… not just one animal, but thousands. For this, we thank you!

• If you’re looking for more ways to help animals in need in your community, please click here to register for the 2009 Annual Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause…Walk for the Animals. It’s the BC SPCA’s signature event and the largest campaign in support of animals in B.C., taking place in 39 local communities. Or visit us online for more information and local walk details.
• Read more about the BC SPCA’s efforts in Kelowna here and caring for cats and kittens in need here.

Why we do what we do.

Hi everyone! I wanted to say a quick hello as we really get this blog rolling. My name is Alicia Harris, and this is my second year as the Online Coordinator for the 2009 Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause campaign. We’ve already had an exciting campaign so far, with our first-ever Virtual Launch Party on June 25 that raised more than $6,500 for the animals!

We also have 1,115 Crusaders and 244 Packs registered to date. So if you haven’t done so already, please register online now to get involved with the largest campaign in support of animals in B.C.

I’ll leave it to Boo Boo to tell you why your support matters…

Here's a photo of me recovering from my injuries. You can see where the chain was wrapped around me. Ouch!

“A few months have passed since I first arrived at the Prince Rupert SPCA shelter, and so much has changed for me. I was seized by the RCMP and brought to the BC SPCA with a chain cutting in around my waist – right into my skin and muscle tissue. The vet who looked after me said that it had been there for about 10 days. Unfortunately for me, my owner was home the whole time, but did nothing to help.”

“But I don’t hold any grudges, because despite my ordeal, I know there are lots of wonderful people out there looking out for animals like me. Staff and volunteers at the BC SPCA made sure that I received the care I needed to heal, and even helped me find my own forever home. How lucky am I?”

“You can team up with thousands of animal-lovers provincewide to help save the lives of many more companion, farm and wild animals just like me by registering for the 2009 Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause campaign. Become a voice for animals in need now, and make sure to subscribe to this blog now to hear more of our stories and the incredible efforts of Crusaders just like you who are getting involved with the campaign.”

“You have my deepest thanks for lending your time and support to such a wonderful cause!”

Tail wags,
Boo Boo

Welcome to the blog!

New for this year, we’re introducing a campaign blog. It’s going to be filled with animal stories, campaign updates and more! So subscribe now so you don’t miss out on any of the great stories to come!

In the meantime, have you seen our new Paws for a Cause PSA? Watch it now and share it with friends to help spread the word about the campaign. Also, make sure that you register now (if you haven’t already) to join us for all of the excitement and help make a difference in animals’ lives.

Thank you for teaming up with us to help the animals!