Luke and Emma find their new homes

Luke and Emma are extremely happy to be welcoming in the New Year in their new homes. They won't be able to partake in any bubbly wine or parties . . . . but what better way to greet the New Year than with a new home!

Luke was transferred here from the overcrowded Prince Rupert branch, where he had been surrendered due to "the children not being ready for a pet"; a personable, outgoing, friendly, chatty and fun loving young cat (10 months old) Luke is now in a better suited home.

Emma is a friendly and sociable girl who found herself with us due to continuing circumstances leading her astray - someone in the neighbourhood kept enticing her with treats and food. Emma did have a home pending for almost two weeks, but illness caused a delay in her new people travelling over here (the trip includes two ferry rides) to meet her and, if all went well, take her back with them to Victoria. Today was the big day, and Emma is now an Island Gal, living on acreage.

Alexandria and Babylon go home

Babylon (top picture) and Alexandria are the last of the 3-5 month old kittens transferred here from the Kamloops branch recently. Babylon and Alexandria are now safe in their new homes.

Somehow we missed mentioning that Beauty went to her new home too, on December 23rd.

Merry Christmas

Who says things are quiet here on Christmas day. No matter the day, all of the animals still need cleaning, feeding and loving. All of the cats enjoyed a treat and all of the dogs had playtime and walks too, sometimes twice! Poor Zach was getting tired :-)

Between dogwalkers Rene, moi and Shelley, Joe and Paul (their friend visiting from Revelstoke) all of the dogs enjoyed a Christmas day walk! Pictured are Shelley (with Ruby), Joe (with Zach) and Paul (with Isabelle). Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy day to think of the shelter animals and spend some time with them today.

Jericho and Yoda are home for Christmas

Jericho and Yoda found their new homes on Christmas eve . . .

Jericho was a transfer from the overcrowded Kamloops branch who didn't wait long to find a home here.

Yoda is also a transfer from the Kamloops branch, Yoda is a 10-month-old pup who was not enjoying shelter life and was starting to become a little stressed so it is great news that Yoda is now in her new, breed experienced, home in time to enjoy Christmas eve. Yoda will be living on acerage and is the only animal in the home . . . . . so will be soaking up all the attention.

Update on adoptions for Sunday and today

Home for Christmas . . . . .

Windy, a little Manx kitten who was recently transferred here from the overcrowded Kamloops branch; found her new home today.

Purrfect was transferred here from the Kamloops branch the same day as Windy, she too went to her new home today.

Wilma was brought to us as a stray from the Sechelt area in November after hanging around a home for two weeks, this chatty kittie also went to her new home today.

Masi was brought to us as a stray from the Sechelt area in October. Sadly no one looked for her, even after she was listed as Found in the local paper (same as with Wilma). But, even if no one from her previous home looked for her, Masi has now found herself a new home.

Holly is a pup who was found as a stray in the Savona area, again hard to believe, but no one looked for this pup. Holly hopped a ride in the same transfer van that Windy and Purrfect came on from the Kamloops branch and has now found herself a more committed home.

Rita is the last of the pups transferred here from the Fort St. John branch (her siblings are Gus, Sammy and Nikki); Rita and her siblings were born at the shelter and sadly became orphans at four weeks old after their mom contracted Parvo and did not survive. At six weeks old the pups were transferred here and placed into a foster home to experience some "home life" and have now all found homes on the Sunshine Coast. Rita has a new canine pal in her home, a 3-year-old goofy Rottweiler. We're sure she'll be running laps around him in a no time.

Gus, Naomi and Jenna go home, Happy Ending for Carlos

Gus went off to his new home today. An affectionate little guy, we knew that Gus would win someone over quickly.

Jenna (top picture) and Naomi are a mum and daughter duo who were surrendered to the Quesnel branch in May 2009 when their owners were moving. Jenna and Naomi were transferred here in June and have waited ever since for a home. Today was an exciting day for Jenna and Naomi though, they were adopted and left to start their new life, and though we will miss their antics, it is also a happy day to see them find a home after waiting so long.

Carlos was adopted at the beginning of December and his new guardian has sent lots of pictures and an update on how he is settling in. Above are a few pictures of Carlos when he first arrived at his new home, and a picture of Chinchilla "goodie" baskets full of pellets, supplement and TOYS that greeted Carlos on his arrival. Carlos is one happy Chin.

Cheeko, Toby and Dakota go home

Dakota was transferred here from the Kamloops branch, and didn't wait long for a home.

Cheeko is another transfer who didn't have to wait long for a home after he arrived from the Surrey branch. Cheeko found himself homeless at 3-years-old after his owner became too ill to care for him. Cheeko is a cheeky, spunky little guy who livened up the kennels with his "little dog" attitude which he played up to a tee, getting everyone riled up if he was in the play yards. He is now livening up his new owners life, and the play yards are a little quieter.

Toby was also transferred here, but from the Vancouver branch. No one likes to see the older guys in a shelter and at 8-years-old Toby quickly became a staff and volunteer favourite with his beautiful spirit and soulful eyes. Toby had found himself homeless in September after his owners, who he had lived with since he was a pup, were moving, and Toby could not go along. We are very happy that after less than a week here, Toby has found himself a home on the Sunshine Coast. Yes, Toby is home for Christmas.

Zepher finds a foster home and Gremlin finds a home

Great news for Zepher! After advertising locally for a foster home for Zepher, and having no luck. (Actually, one person did phone to ask how long Zepher had left (to live), but no offer of help.) One of Audreys (Powell River SPCA branch) dog experienced foster homes became available, and Audrey generously offered the space to Zepher. Zepher was driven up to Earls Cove today and met by one of Audrey's volunteers who had walked on to the ferry from the Saltery Bay side, ridden the ferry over to Earls Cove and then immediately turned right around and rode the ferry back with Zepher. This is the second dog that Audrey has helped us with recently and we VERY much appreciate the help . . . . and so do Dallas and Zepher, two dogs that were not coping well with kennel life and are now getting the one-on-one attention they so desperately needed. THANK YOU to Audrey, your volunteer who met Zepher and your foster home(s).

We really would like to build up our own foster home base though so that we don't need to keep relying on Audrey - who has no shelter to house animals and relies totally on foster homes - so if anyone reading this would like to learn more about fostering, or knows someone that may be able to help please give us a call at 604-740-0301.

Gremlin, who was recently transferred here from the Kamloops branch has been adopted and left us to join his new family. Gremlin looks laid back in his picture . . . . but he's anything but, and is probably racing around his new home at full speed right about now.

A blast from the past and Mollie, Sammy and Nikki go home

We always love to hear how our adopted animals are doing but imagine our surprise when we heard from a family who had adopted a kitten from us 11 years ago! Pictured above is Buzz . . . here's his Happy Ending.

We wanted to share with you a photo of our Christmas boy. We adopted Buzz, as an eight week old kitten, from the Sunshine Coast Branch of the SPCA eleven years ago this December 15th. He has, and continues to enrich our lives in unmeasurable ways. Thanks for being there SPCA, and for making this addition to our family possible.

Tristan, Matthew, Jane and Thomas



Pretty Mollie went to her new home after being transferred here from the overcrowded Kamloops branch recently.

Sammy (top pup picture) and Nikki went to their respective new homes today, Sammy and Nikki were born at the Prince Rupert branch and lived there until being transferred here with their siblings, Rita and Gus (who are still available for adoption) and placed into a foster home for some "life experience". The pups are a diverse bunch, who are all very affectionate, and if you met them separately you would not believe that they were all related. We wish Sammy and Nikki all the best in their new life.

Pet Pictures with Santa, and Rufus and Matthew go home

Matthew the little cutie pictured above went to his new home; Matthew was transferred here from the overcrowded Kamloops branch last week and lucky for him didn't have to wait long for a home.

Rufus was surrendered with his sibling (Oscar) after a new baby joined the home and Rufus was not a happy camper, and started to act out with some "inappropriate" behaviour. Which did not materialize while he was at the shelter. All is good for Rufus though, a rather large Maine Coon mix who drools when you pet him . . . he has gone off to his new home.

Last Sunday was our 21st Annual Pet Pictures with Santa; a hectic four hours, but a lot of fun. We saw dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages along with one brave cat and a guinea pig. Pepper -pictured with Santa - arrived for her 12th picture with Santa, yes this was Pepper's 12th year in a row coming for a picture. A pro at sitting with Santa after all those years, Pepper settled in for her picture and looks "picture perfect".

The Pet Pictures with Santa gang . . . . from left to right (back row) Shannon (branch manager), Darren (our fantastic photographer) and me (Karen). Front row - Lindyn, Santa and Jenn!

A huge thank you to Darren Bernaerdt for volunteering his time once again to take professional pictures for us, London Drugs for sponsoring the prints, Sunnycrest Mall for letting us use their Santa display and Santa, Eagle Ridge Veterinary Hospital for creating the wonderful "treat" packages for all the dogs and cats and last, but not least, everyone who volunteered to help at the event.

At the same time we also held a bake sale, with lots of delicious baking for sale. Thank you to all our bakers for baking all of the wonderful goodies.

And one last item . . . four dogs and one cat were transferred here from the Surrey branch on Thursday so be sure to stop by and say hi.

Dallas goes to Powell River & Zepher is URGENT for a foster home

Great news for Dallas - an 8-month-old Doberman mix pictured above - he has been placed in a foster home with the Powell River branch, his new foster mom first came to meet him and then returned to pick him up and drove him up there. Being a people pup, Dallas was lonely and missing the companionship of people while living in the kennels.

He is also a young dog that really has not had any training or guidance, along with being taken away from his mum much too soon and not learning much in the way of "doggie social skills". So Dallas really needed the one-on-one that a foster home can provide. We'll miss his goofy antics - he tries to fit as many balls in his mouth as he can - but are more than happy that he is in a foster home where he will thrive in a home environment.

Which brings me to our next feature dog, Zepher (pictured above). Zepher is another large "pup" who has not had any guidance, training or consistancy in his life. He is on the large side, very rambunctious and has no idea what is expected of him . . but would love to know. Grabbing and tugging on the leash, or your scarf while walking is fun for Zepher, he also has no idea how to take treats "gently" but he does know sit and our kennel employee is teaching Zepher other commands.

But, after being in a boarding kennel for a month before joining us a month ago, Zepher is not coping well with the confinement of kennel life. Even though he is getting lots of outings and play time (he loves playing fetch and will go as long as you can) and splashing in the pool, it is not enough for this handsome boy. He is URGENT for a foster home.

If you are interested in helping Zepher - or know someone who would be qualified to help him - please contact us (604-740-0301 or sunshinecoast@spca.bc.ca). An adult, dog experienced home with a firm but fair leader will help Zepher tremendously. This young dog has huge potential but really needs someone to take him under their wing.

Princess goes home

Today was a happy day for Princess, she went off to her new home. A little bit of a gal, Princess had a lot to say in the kennels and at times was a little cranky with new people and other dogs - she especially liked putting Luci the pup in her place. Once she knows you though, Princess is a friendly, affectionate and wiggly little dog who enjoys tummy rubs and heading out on walks. Her new people saw past her barky, "tough" dog act in the kennels, fell in love and finalized the adoption today. The kennels will be a little quieter without our little Princess . . . which some of the other dogs just may appreciate.

Oscar visit and Luci goes home

Our little Luci went home today, the last of the four Pittie-X pups wiggled her way into the heart of one of our auxiliary employees, Jenna. Luci actually worked her magic a little while ago (okay, it could have been mutual love at first sight), but a house move delayed the adoption process. Today all of the paperwork was finalized and Luci left with Jenna to start her new life. We are all thrilled that we will be able to watch Luci grow up and that she will still be a part of the family.

To top off the day, Oscar stopped in for a visit with his new people, and though he looks a little glum in the picture he is actually one very happy boy enjoying life to the fullest, off a chain. For those of you that don't know Oscar, he found himself here along with two of his canine pals (Bowser and Ottis) in July of this year. Oscar, along with Bowser and Ottis had spent a LOT of time chained up in a back yard. But fortunately, after numerous visits, they were surrendered. At-12-years old, Oscar wasn't the most sought after dog when people visited the kennels looking for a new canine pal, but his gentle nature and plight touched the heart of two very special people who noticed his picture in the Coast Reporter the week he was featured as pet of the week. The rest, as they say, "is history" and Oscar is now one very happy pup.

Transfer day, and Carlos goes home

No update yesterday, the computer experienced one of those famous "computer glitches" and refused to stay on, every time it was turned on, it would turn off after a few seconds . . . . on, off, on, off. All back on track now after many hours of fiddling with various "fixes", before hitting on the right "fix".

The big news yesterday was the transfer of 10 cats/kittens and two dogs from the overcrowded Kamloops branch. Our volunteer driver set off on the 8:20 am ferry to meet up with the Kamloops driver in Hope, all went well and everyone was here and settled in by 2:30 pm, a long journey for all involved including the animals, but well worth it. It is great to be able to help other branches when space allows. Some of the new arrivals need to be booked in for spaying and neutering so may not show up on the adoptable list until next week, but others will be looking for their news homes in a few days. So keep your eyes open.

The other big news was Carlos the Chinchilla (pictured above) went off to his new home on Vancouver Island, following a home visit little Carlos flew over to the Island to live in a wonderful home with a small group of male Chinchillas to keep him company.

Bolly goes home

Bolly is a lovely girl who once lived as a princess in a West end apartment, she had everything she ever wanted and was a very content kitty. Until one day her owner did not come home. After spending a week all alone, scared and hungry with no food, water or litter box, Bolly was lucky that neighbours heard her desperate cries for help and rescued her. That was in May (09). Bolly was recently transferred here to better help her find a home, and that she did. Bolly has now left us to join her new home, where she is probably enjoying chin scratches, gentle pats and playing with her mousie. Living the life of a princess once again.