Wanted: Homes for 22,000 Pets

Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:12 AM

Prince George, B.C. - The North Cariboo District Branch of the BC SPCA is competing in a province wide challenge throughout May to find as many loving homes as possible for animals who have been neglected, abused or abandoned. The Fetch a FriendAdoption Challenge is one of the many activities taking place in SPCA branches during May to mark Be Kind to Animals Month.

“We have thousands of beautiful animals in our care who are homeless through no fault of their own,” said Lorie Chortyk, the society’s General Manager of Community Relations. “They are in SPCA care because their guardians couldn’t, or wouldn’t, take proper care of them. They have so much to offer and truly deserve a second chance at happiness with a loving family.”

Chortyk hopes the Fetch a Friend Adoption Challenge will inspire people who are thinking about getting a pet to consider their local SPCA as their “first adoption option.”

There are two categories in the Fetch a Friend challenge – one for large SPCA branches and a second category for small to medium branches. A $2,500 cash prize will be awarded to the branch in each category that increases adoptions by the greatest percentage during May, and the overall winner will be awarded the coveted Fetch a Friend Victory Cup, to be presented at the society’s Annual General Meeting on May 31. “Of course the big winners in the challenge will be the animals who find their ‘forever homes,’” said Chortyk.

Events during the Fetch a Friend Adoption Challenge will include open houses, kitten adoptathons, mobile adoptions in the community, media awareness campaigns and other special promotions.

“We really hope people will support this challenge and reach out to the homeless animals in our community,” said Ann Gough, manager of the BC SPCA’s North Cariboo District Branch. “We have animals of every species, colour, age, size and personality, but the one thing they have in common is that they have so much love to offer.”

The SPCA is available as an ongoing resource to pet guardians from the moment they are matched with an animal. The society’s website, www.spca.bc.ca, offers helpful tips, links and materials on pet care, pet behaviour and animal welfare. And if you don’t find what you need online, staff are extremely knowledgeable on a variety of animal issues.

Last year, BC SPCA branches found loving homes for more than 22,000 animals.

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Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:12 AM in Pets by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Harbinger on May 1 2008 10:35 AM

Obviously everyone has ignored Bob Barkers pleas for a lot of years. Sad.

Posted by: Eagleone on May 1 2008 11:47 AM

The province should fund to have the animals spade or neutered for free to anyone that adopts so that it becomes more affordable to adopt one or more than one pet, and so that the problem becomes a solution.

Posted by: Harbinger on May 2 2008 8:46 AM

""province should fund to have the animals spade or neutered for free..." That sounds good to me. Will that be before or after they fix waiting times for people who need surgery for a myriad of painful complaints? Free? Define "free". Does free mean with my tax dollars? I don't find that definition of free very comforting.

Posted by: pisspulper on May 4 2008 9:19 AM

Judging by the unsanitary conditions at most SPCA or private shelters, I'd suggest having the adoptee ensure the operation is a more viable and cost effective option. It is less likely that infection complications would occur.

I have adopted a wonderful dog from a private shelter and adore her and treat her as I would treat my child. Many people are adopting pets for the wrong reasons and giving up on them. Here lies the problem. HUMANS.

I certainly am not suggesting that the SPCA and other shelters are poorly maintained and unsanitary. Those staff do a remarkable work as very dedicated volunteers, and with very limited resources. I wish to thank all those people for their committment and dedication, especially when it can become so disheartening.

As a pet lover, perhaps we can make a small difference. On your shopping trips, perhaps once in awhile you can drop off a bag of kibbles to your local shelter. Perhaps its not much, but better than nothing.