John Boyd and Chase

Two of over 40 cats found living in an abandoned house in Ashcroft, Chase and John Boyd, were first taken to the Kamloops Branch for care and to hopefully reunite them with their families.  But after no one came forward to claim them, Chase and John Boyd were transferred here to help them find a new home. 

Chase is an easy-going, confident and affectionate cat with a huge and very loud purr who settled in quickly from his trip from Kamloops and was soon ready to embark on the next chapter of his life. While in the Communal Room Chase could be a bit of a thug around the other cats, entertaining himself by stalking them and generally causing mayhem . . . but then again he could just have been bored because he really isn't a scraper.  He did find himself in "lock down" a few times though just to give the other cats a break :-)   Chase has now gone to live with a young family which also includes a young son . .  the home also includes two Rottweilers who have always lived with cats.  Cheeky boy Chase has lots to keep him entertained now !

John Boyd is an outgoing and sociable fellow who confidently strolled around the Communal room with a touch of swagger to his walk - but he's no thug, John Boyd is an easy going cat whose only crime around some of the other cats is maybe being a little too playful, active and entertaining!  A bit of a flirt with a huge purr John Boyd appears to adjust well to change and was more than ready to head off to his new home soon after arriving. 

Great news for John Boyd!  He has now gone to live with a couple in Powell River, who have no other pets so he'll get all the love and attention he'll ever need.

    

Sechelt Trapping Ban - Council Meeting

Lynx caught in illegally set trap

Photo courtesy FurBearerDefenders.com

If ANYONE can attend the Sechelt Council meeting on Wednesday, March 28th at 1 pm in support of the trapping ban please do so . . . the more people that show support for a ban of snare, leg-hold and Conibear traps in the District of Sechelt, all the better. 

On August 2, 2011 Gibsons Council approved final reading of Bylaw 1147, the toughest anti-trapping bylaw in Canada . . . banning all body-gripping traps including the Conibear, snare and leg-hold trap.   Lets help Sechelt do the same!

Cat caught in trap

 Photo courtesy FurBearerDefenders.com

Here is a letter delivered to individual Sechelt Council members today from the Sunshine Coast Branch BCSPCA Community Council and Branch Manager, in support of a ban.  The letter was accompanied by a copy of the BCSPCA Animal Sense Magazine article on the trapping ban in Gibsons.    Please scroll to Page 12 to read the article  (please be patient, it might be a bit slow to load)  http://www.spca.bc.ca/assets/documents/news--events/animalsense/as-fallwinter-2011.pdf

This is an open letter to the Sechelt Council Members

We are writing to bring to your attention the issue of snare, connibear, and leg-hold traps in the district of Sechelt. It is our understanding that these traps are currently allowed by law to be set in our community. These traps are unregulated, un-marked, and present a danger to non-target wildlife, children, domestic pets, and recreational hikers and bikers. In addition to these concerns, we know that this type of hunting goes against the Mission of the BCSPCA and is in direct conflict with each of the five freedoms of our vision statement.

The Mission of the BCSPCA is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia.

The five freedoms as listed in the SPCA Vision Statement:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst.
2. Freedom from pain, injury and disease.
3. Freedom from distress.
4. Freedom from discomfort.
5. Freedom to express behaviour that promotes well-being.

These are the principles on which the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded. As such, it is our duty to protest the presence of cruelty in our community and we endeavor to effect the change that prevents cruelty in our community.

As a group of concerned citizens, and as an animal welfare organization, we are opposed to the presence of leg hold, connibear, and snare traps in our community. This is a form of hunting that is cruel and does not afford its target a swift and humane death. It draws death out for hours or perhaps days. While caught in one of these traps the animal:

1. Experiences hunger and thirst.
2. Is injured and in pain.
3. Is distressed.
4. Is exposed to the elements and is unable to escape extreme weather.
5. Is not able to express behaviours that promote well-being.

We are therefore asking Council to ban leg-hold traps in the District of Sechelt.

Sincerely,

Community Council Members of the BCSPCA Sunshine Coast Branch

Meghan Graves RAHT, CC Chair
Karen Holland Vice Chair
Denise Sherman
Amanda Boettcher
Christa Morrison
Gillian Brady

Cindy Krapiec, Branch Manager of the BCSPCA Sunshine Coast Branch

Bear caught in leg hold trap 

Photo courtesy FurBearerDefenders.com

Please, if you can, attend the Sechelt Council Meeting March 28 at 1 pm
~ let's stop this horrendous cruelty on the Sunshine Coast !

 

Random shots

It's been a few months since I've posted some random pictures of the animals at the shelter . . . so here are a few new ones

Brooke ~ wanna hug ?  Adopted   

Chase  ~ get that camera out of here!!  (Adopted) 

Shirley ~ seriously, do I have to get up ?  (Adopted)

Robbie ~ playing football with his stuffie (Adopted) 

MacKenzie !  (Still waiting for a home)

Mathew ~ adopted

Quincy ~ hanging out and still waiting for a home

Kitten ~ let ME out !  (Adopted)

Koda ~ Adopted

Taso ~ Telling everyone what he thinks,
whether they want to know or not :-)  (Adopted)

Shirley ~ watching the birds (Adopted)

Last, but not least . . . the perils of taking videos of the dogs in the play yards

Quinn, Marvin and Dublin head to their homes!

Been busy busy lately so a bit behind on posting adoptions . . . . . here are three lucky cats who went off to their new homes recently :-)  

Quinn lost her home when her owner was moving and either couldn't or wouldn't take Quinn along to the new place.  A quiet girl with beautiful muted markings Quinn liked to observe people visiting the Communal room from above or on top of one of the cat perches - waiting for you to notice her.  When you did, she would jump down and try and catch your attention by flirting and meowing; but if you attempted to pet her you were more then likely going to receive a swat!  It was a bit hit and miss as to whether Quinn was going to give you a swat as she did like being petted, sometimes (myself I used the wand to pet her after being swatted a few times).  Playful and a bit put out at living the shelter life . . . Quinn has now found her new home after waiting since November 2011 :-) 

Marvin is a young cat who found himself with us after hanging around a home in Madeira Park for several days; surprisingly no one was missing this handsome boy even after he was advertised in the local paper as Found.  So, Marvin was soon looking for a new place to hang his hat and call home. 

Young, playful, outgoing, friendly and affectionate, Marvin adapted well to the Communal Room and didn't have to wait long for a new home  . . .  he is now living with two small dogs and Benny who was adopted March 2011 http://sunshinecoastspca.blogspot.ca/search?q=benny (The other cat in the home recently passed away and Benny was very lonely and missing having a feline friend.)   

Dublin is not only an easy going and laid back cat, he's also incredibly sweet!  Affectionate, good natured and calm, Dublin would probably do fine in a home with a cat friendly dog - and that's exactly what has happened.  Dublin has gone to a home on acreage that includes two Border Collies who have always lived with cats !

Great news for Quinn, Marvin and Dublin!

Happy Ending ~ Cinder

Cinder is a young cat who was recently adopted  . . . http://sunshinecoastspca.blogspot.ca/2012/03/cinder-daisy-adams-and-perry-find-their.html

Here's a wonderful update from his new family, sounds like it didn't take long for Cinder to settle in !

Cinder and his new friend Kita

Thought you might like to see how well "Cinder" (who we have renamed Koda) is getting along with his new friend Kita. The only problem we have is that everyone is mixing the two cats up (Koda on the left, Kita on the right)!

They are having fun chasing each other around the house, wrestling and snuggling. It is amazing that they are not litter-mates since they are so similar in both looks and personality.

Thanks for providing us with a great addition to the family we hope to enjoy the company of these two for many, many years.

Susan, Adrian, Cecilia and Cobey

Happy Ending ~ Taso

Anyone that is involved with the shelter came to know Taso, a happy go lucky dog who arrived in very poor condition and a wobbly back end . . . .  though that didn't stop Taso from ejoying short walks and living life to the fullest. 

Taso was adopted in early February http://sunshinecoastspca.blogspot.ca/2012/02/pirate-and-taso-find-their-new-homes.html  to a home on the lower mainland and his new family has recently sent an update on how he is doing . . . which I know everyone that came to know Taso and was rooting for him while he was in care, will love to see . . . . 

Hello,

Further to our conversation about Taso yesterday I thought I would forward some recent photos. This is a tad difficult because he really does not have much patience for the camera, and in the green space it's impossible to get his attention because of the number of wild rabbits and other critters he needs to sniff. 

Taso would not use his bed until it was moved to the fireplace and in a position that was the best vantage point to watch all the goings on in the house. The rest of us just have to walk around and adapt.  He's up to 80 pounds now but that is the vet imposed limit due to his hip   dysplasia.  Any more will put too much pressure on that area.

I tried to get a picture that will show the remarkable progress he is making with the camprofen shots and his exercise regime. You will note that he is losing the cross legged stance and each leg is moving better independently and taking more weight. He is amazing the vets!

He is very proud of his yard (not as small as it looks) and on sunny days likes to snooze outside or direct traffic. He is very discerning regarding who he will allow to walk past but we will be starting obedience classes next month to try to tone that down a bit.

Taso is a wonderful companion and has made strong human and doggy friendships in the family and neighbourhood. Thank you for rescuing him for me.

Anne Browning

 

Cinder, Daisy, Adams and Perry find their homes!

Cinder found himself in care after being left behind when his owner moved out; fortunately the landlord noticed him hanging around and brought him to us so that he wouldn't have to fend for himself.  A bit of a ham, outgoing and curious, Cinder is a youngster who loves to play with toys and you - adjusting well to the Communal room Cinder soon found a friend in John Boyd and they spent many an hour hanging out, grooming each other and sleeping together.  The good news is that Cinder found himself a new home that included two other cats, the sad news is that there was no room for John Boyd who is still waiting for a home. 

Cinder and John Boyd hanging out together

Daisy found herself in care after being unceremoniously dropped off at someones front door!  A little nervous around some of the other cats, Daisy tended to keep to herself in the Communal Room - mainly hanging out in the outdoor enclosure - living the Communal life isn't always the ideal situation for some cats, and Daisy just may have been one of those cats.  A little bored with shelter life, Daisy really was just looking for entertainment and being the youngster she is, was quite active and enjoyed a good play session while at the shelter . . . without letting the other cats know, of course.  It took a little while, but Daisy has now found herself a home where she will be the one and only  . . . receiving all of the attention :-) 

Perry (pictured on the right) and Adams were two of over 30 cats and kittens found living in an abandoned and boarded up house in Ashcroft; initially taken to the Kamloops branch for care and to hopefully be reunited with their owners - which did not happen - they were transferred to the Sunshine Coast to help find them a new home.

Perry and Adams were quite bonded so we were really hoping to place them together; loving and affectionate these two cuties are quite shy but enjoyed being petted and craved attention purring constantly - but did not feel comfortable being picked up; probably due to their experience and lack of handling (though they are not feral). Needing further socialization and gentle daily handling, in a calm and quiet home with someone who could spend some time gaining their trust, building their confidence and teaching them what kittenhood is all about . . playtimes, funtimes and snuggles and cuddles Perry and Adams found just that . .  . and these two kittens that were pretty much  joined at the hip have now gone to live in a home - together - that also includes a senior Jack Russell terrier.  

 

Pet Expo

I hope that anyone that read my post on Friday was more alert then I was  . . . March 10th is a Saturday (i.e yesterday !) not a Sunday. 

Hopefully everyone noticed my ooops and went on the right day . . . I didn't notice, so missed the whole event.  But I hear it was very busy!

2012 Pet Expo

Remember to put aside a bit of time this Sunday to visit the Pet Expo at Seaside Center in Sechelt; 11 am - 3 pm . . . . stop by our table, and meet volunteers Denise and Christa, to learn more about the BCSPCA and the Sunshine Coast Branch; plus the SPCA Certified table where volunteer Gillian will be able to able to answer any questions you might have about the program . . . lot's of great info at both tables.

See you there!

Lily

Lily has a bit of a long history with the BCSPCA, she first found herself in care with the Kamloops branch in 2007 after being found in a shed with her kittens, who once old enough quickly found homes. Then after spending some time in Kamloops Lily was transferred here to help her find a new home. Which she did fairly quickly. But sadly Lilly was once again looking for a home after her guardian became ill and could no longer care for her.

An easy going girl, that left the shelter as a slim and trim youngster and arrived back a tad more mature and with a full bodied figure Lily doesn't care that she may be considered overweight. Yes, Lily gained a bit of weight in her absence and once back was put on a calorie reduced diet to help bring back the figure of her past . . . humm, come to think of it a few of us can probably relate to her situation :-)

Lily before and after !

Lilly thoroughly enjoys company, purring and leaning in for a good chin scratch, then dropping and rolling for a belly rub and any attention she can get . . . but not overly pushy or demanding.  Though pretty mellow with other cats, Lilly had been known to send a whack another cats way, but never engaged in any brawls, she's much to lady like for that type of behavior and pretty much kept to herself in the Communal Room. But even with all her charm and sad story, Lily still waited almost six months for a home!  I know, hard to believe.  But the big day did arrive and Lily has now gone to live with another shelter alumni and a friendly senior dog.

Lily heading off to her new home . . .

looking a bit unsure of what was happening because she had just woken up :-)

Great news for Lily !

   

Mikey, Archer and Matthew

Matthew was one of 39 cats and kittens found living in an abandoned and boarded up house in Ashcroft; initially taken to the Kamloops branch for care and to hopefully be reunited with his owner (which did not happen) Mathew was then transferred here to find a new home . . . which did happened !   Matthew has now gone to live in a home with two other feline friends for company.

Mikey is a youngster who was transferred here from the Prince Rupert branch to help him find a home after being brought to the shelter as a stray, along with his sibling Archer.  An outgoing, friendly and playful kitten Mikey loves attention and is a bit of a me me me kinda guy who soon purred his way into a new home.

Leaving Archer behind . . . but not for long.

Archer, is a shy kitten who doesn't have a lot of confidence and was looking for a calm and quiet home and someone with the patience and time to work with him  . . . you know, teach him that people are his friends and that being handled results in good things - a chin scratch along with being stroked and petted.  Pretty much the opposite of Mikey.

After Mikey's people adopted Mikey they could not stop thinking about Archer, who was left behind at the shelter, and how well the two siblings got along together.

When the shelter opened at noon the next day, one of them was there . . .  to adopt Archer!     

After a night apart,  Archer and Mikey are now together again :-)

Birthday twins Georgia and Sidney

Twins Georgia (in pink) and Sidney recently celebrated their birthday and asked everyone invited to their birthday party to bring a donation for the SPCA Georgia and Sidney and their friends had a great time ice skating and raised $106 for the branch.
  

Branch Manager Cindy pictured with Sidney and Georgia

Georgia and Sidney filling out their complimentary
Kids Club membership applications

Georgia and Sidney visiting with Elsa

Thank you Georgia and Sidney ! !

PS   Their dad, Lee Riggs, recently became the first SPCA Certified farm here on the Sunshine Coast!  Happy Chick Farm