Latest news with #BCSPCA
Global News
6 days ago
- General
- Global News
Dog chained to tree in B.C. wildfire zone was only found by her cries for help
Janet O'Reilly has been keeping a close eye on the Wesley Ridge wildfire burning on Vancouver Island, as her house is just outside the current evacuation alert zone. However, that has not stopped her from going for daily walks with her dogs. But on Sunday morning, with the noise of the fire nearby, the planes and the bucketing, O'Reilly heard a new sound. 'I heard a dog crying,' she told Global News. 'I heard a dog barking in the woods.' O'Reilly continued on with her walk and then on the way back, she heard the crying again. She wasn't able to go investigate but she went home, went to work, went for another dog walk with a friend in a different area and that's when a neighbour came to her house saying she had also heard barking and crying and had stumbled across a dog tied to a tree. Story continues below advertisement 'As soon as he told me that and it was by itself, then we kind of started calling everywhere,' O'Reilly said. 'We started calling every SPCA and emergency hotline numbers from the SPCA, conservation officers, RCMP and nobody could help. So it was a matter of just packing up stuff and seeing if the dog was friendly enough that it would let us get her.' O'Reilly said that it being the long weekend and a Sunday evening, few people were available or working. 'We went up there with water and food and my friend stayed down at the service road with his dogs, just so we wouldn't intimidate her,' O'Reilly said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'And we don't know how she is with other dogs and (we) put the water down and she just started drinking and drinking and drinking. She let me come closer to her when she was drinking. She didn't seem intimidated by me at all. She didn't seem like she was growling, nothing.' O'Reilly said she was trying to offer treats but the dog just wanted to drink water. 'I was looking at the chain, thinking how the heck am I going to get this chain off of her and fortunately it was just done up by a carabiner,' she added. Story continues below advertisement 2:16 Langley Township pit bull owner sues over seizure of dog O'Reilly said the dog let her take the chain off and put on a leash. 'She wasn't awesome on a leash, but she wasn't trying to get away from me; she was happy to be with me,' she added. O'Reilly contacted the BC SPCA and they were able to come and pick up the dog later that night. They think the dog is approximately two years old and is a healthy mixed-breed. 'She's in such great shape and she friendlies up pretty fast,' Sam Sattar with the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot branch said. 'We're just kind of wondering how she ended up where she ended up.' It is hoped that someone will recognize the dog, now known as Eve, after O'Reilly's middle name. Story continues below advertisement Eve will see a vet soon and could be put up for adoption. 'She showed no signs of neglect,' O'Reilly said. 'I also, I walk in this area every single day, and I can almost guarantee she wasn't there 24 hours earlier in the morning because I would have heard her crying the day before.' How Eve ended up in a remote area tied to a tree close to a wildfire evacuation alert area remains a mystery. 'I feel that a monster did this,' O'Reilly said, 'I feel like if somebody wanted this dog to be found, it would have been tied somewhere where there's people, or where there is going to be, 'This dog was tied where nobody, if that dog was not barking, this dog would still be there like there's no way me or my neighbour would have come across her if she wasn't barking.' The BC SPCA said it offers emergency boarding services across the province so there is no need to abandon an animal.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Some animal shelters in Canada are seeing more pet surrenders — because their owners can't afford them
A woman who can't afford her pets after her husband's death, despite working two jobs. A couple forced to downsize due to the financial strain of cancer. An owner who can't pay for the treatment for her cat's urinary condition. These are just a handful of the stories that Calgary Humane Society heard last week from pet owners forced to give up their furry family members. "People having to surrender due to cost of living and cost overall — it's been literally every single intake we've done this week," Sally Johnston, director of community services, told CBC News. As costs creep up in Canada, some animal shelters and humane societies say they're seeing a worrying trend: More Canadians surrendering their pets because they simply can't afford them anymore. Others are seeing increased demand for their services like pet food banks. CBC News reached out to organizations across Canada. More than half said that they're either seeing pet surrenders go up, or hearing more people cite the cost of living for why they're parting with their pet. Calgary Humane Society has had around 200 pets waiting for intake at any given time over the last two years. Five years ago, it had no wait list at all. Last year, B.C. SPCA handled 906 pet surrender requests, but in the first half of this year alone, it's already seen 800. Ontario SPCA has seen a 16 per cent increase this year so far. Cost-related factors accounted for 76 per cent of pet surrenders at Calgary Humane Society in 2024, and for 72 per cent of surrenders this year so far, Johnston said. "When I look at our intake numbers, I really see that for the most part, people surrendering is not a choice. They're kind of forced to." In June, Montreal SPCA put out a call for donations, which the organization relies on. It, too, saw more than 2,000 pet surrenders in the first six months of 2025, an increase of 32 per cent from the same period last year, said Sophie Gaillard, animal advocacy director. Between 2015 and 2020, surrenders were on a steady decline at Montreal SPCA, she said. But over the last few years, that trend has reversed: "This year, it's really a record increase in animal surrenders." A perfect storm Veterinary care, housing and the overall cost of living have been rising, staff at the affected shelters say, and there is also a shortage of veterinarians. All told, it's a "perfect storm" for an increase in pet surrenders, Gaillard says. Finding and affording pet-friendly housing is one of the biggest problems for owners right now, according to shelters and humane societies. Several told CBC News that they tend to get an influx of surrenders right before the end of the month, as people prepare to move into a new place that won't accept their pet. That struggle also disproportionately affects low-income people, Gaillard said. In Quebec, landlords were cleared to implement a record rental increase this year, exacerbating an existing housing crunch. Meanwhile, Montreal SPCA is pushing for Quebec to follow Ontario's example and ban no-pet clauses in rental agreements. "These are really gut-wrenching scenes for us to witness … on a daily basis, people who arrive at the SPCA in tears, in distress," Gaillard said. "They are forced to surrender a family member, essentially, just to be able to put a roof over their heads. It's really an inhumane decision that we should not be forcing people into." For its part, the Toronto Humane Society said it hasn't seen a notable increase in surrenders. But it said more pet owners are accessing its pet food bank and attending community days to receive donated pet toys and items. From March to the end of December in 2024, the non-profit gave out juts under 5,300 bags of pet food, but it's already dispensed about 5,600 bags in just the first six months of 2025. "We're keeping track of how many people are coming in requesting food," said Lauralee Dorst, director of community animal welfare, "and it's usually because they can't afford ... the rising cost [of] food in regular pet stores." Troubling trend, staff say Pet surrenders aren't a new phenomenon, but Johnston says it's troubling to see more people having to consider parting with beloved pets because of financial burdens. She urged pet owners to reach out to their local humane societies before they reach a breaking point, as many shelters have supports such as programs for seniors, pet retention programs or discounted veterinary care. "The sooner that we engage with these folks and come up with these solutions before they even have to consider surrender, the more likely we are to prevent it all together."
CBC
04-08-2025
- General
- CBC
Some animal shelters in Canada are seeing more pet surrenders — because their owners can't afford them
A woman who can't afford her pets after her husband's death, despite working two jobs. A couple forced to downsize due to the financial strain of cancer. An owner who can't pay for the treatment for her cat's urinary condition. These are just a handful of the stories that Calgary Humane Society heard last week from pet owners forced to give up their furry family members. "People having to surrender due to cost of living and cost overall — it's been literally every single intake we've done this week," Sally Johnston, director of community services, told CBC News. As costs creep up in Canada, some animal shelters and humane societies say they're seeing a worrying trend: More Canadians surrendering their pets because they simply can't afford them anymore. Others are seeing increased demand for their services like pet food banks. CBC News reached out to organizations across Canada. More than half said that they're either seeing pet surrenders go up, or hearing more people cite the cost of living for why they're parting with their pet. Calgary Humane Society has had around 200 pets waiting for intake at any given time over the last two years. Five years ago, it had no wait list at all. Last year, B.C. SPCA handled 906 pet surrender requests, but in the first half of this year alone, it's already seen 800. Ontario SPCA has seen a 16 per cent increase this year so far. Cost-related factors accounted for 76 per cent of pet surrenders at Calgary Humane Society in 2024, and for 72 per cent of surrenders this year so far, Johnston said. "When I look at our intake numbers, I really see that for the most part, people surrendering is not a choice. They're kind of forced to." In June, Montreal SPCA put out a call for donations, which the organization relies on. It, too, saw more than 2,000 pet surrenders in the first six months of 2025, an increase of 32 per cent from the same period last year, said Sophie Gaillard, animal advocacy director. Between 2015 and 2020, surrenders were on a steady decline at Montreal SPCA, she said. But over the last few years, that trend has reversed: "This year, it's really a record increase in animal surrenders." A perfect storm Veterinary care, housing and the overall cost of living have been rising, staff at the affected shelters say, and there is also a shortage of veterinarians. All told, it's a "perfect storm" for an increase in pet surrenders, Gaillard says. Finding and affording pet-friendly housing is one of the biggest problems for owners right now, according to shelters and humane societies. Several told CBC News that they tend to get an influx of surrenders right before the end of the month, as people prepare to move into a new place that won't accept their pet. That struggle also disproportionately affects low-income people, Gaillard said. In Quebec, landlords were cleared to implement a record rental increase this year, exacerbating an existing housing crunch. Meanwhile, Montreal SPCA is pushing for Quebec to follow Ontario's example and ban no-pet clauses in rental agreements. "These are really gut-wrenching scenes for us to witness … on a daily basis, people who arrive at the SPCA in tears, in distress," Gaillard said. "They are forced to surrender a family member, essentially, just to be able to put a roof over their heads. It's really an inhumane decision that we should not be forcing people into." For its part, the Toronto Humane Society said it hasn't seen a notable increase in surrenders. But it said more pet owners are accessing its pet food bank and attending community days to receive donated pet toys and items. From March to the end of December in 2024, the non-profit gave out juts under 5,300 bags of pet food, but it's already dispensed about 5,600 bags in just the first six months of 2025. "We're keeping track of how many people are coming in requesting food," said Lauralee Dorst, director of community animal welfare, "and it's usually because they can't afford ... the rising cost [of] food in regular pet stores." Troubling trend, staff say Pet surrenders aren't a new phenomenon, but Johnston says it's troubling to see more people having to consider parting with beloved pets because of financial burdens. She urged pet owners to reach out to their local humane societies before they reach a breaking point, as many shelters have supports such as programs for seniors, pet retention programs or discounted veterinary care. "The sooner that we engage with these folks and come up with these solutions before they even have to consider surrender, the more likely we are to prevent it all together."
Global News
29-07-2025
- General
- Global News
33 cats, dogs, puppies surrendered from Nanaimo property
The BC SPCA has taken custody of 33 cats and dogs, including puppies, surrendered from a property in Nanaimo. The organization said the animals' guardian had become 'overwhelmed' by their needs and that their numbers had grown due to 'uncontrolled breeding.' The surrender included two pitbull terrier mix mother dogs with 16 puppies, as well as four kittens. View image in full screen Some of the puppies surrendered from a property in Nanaimo. BC SPCA 'All the animals, including the puppies and kittens, had flea infestations,' BC SPCA senior officer for protection and stakeholder relations Eileen Drever said, adding the home was unsanitary, with feces and urine throughout. Story continues below advertisement 'There was an inadequate amount of food and water for the animals, and it was obvious they had not received veterinary care. Their basic needs were not being met.' View image in full screen Some of the cats surrendered from a property in Nanaimo. BC SPCA The animals are being cared for at SPCA centres in Nanaimo, Parksville and qathet, and are receiving flea and parasite treatments. One of the dogs also has a growing lump on his head that may require intervention. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Aside from one of the mother dogs who is fearful of people, all of the other animals are friendly. The SPCA says the puppies will be ready for adoption in about five months once they have been properly weaned.
CTV News
20-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Vancouver Island wildlife facility celebrates 60,000th patient
A young fawn who was reunited with its mother marks one particularly memorable patient for Wild ARC wildlife assistant Ashley Currie. When a barn swallow nestling arrived at Vancouver Island wildlife facility Wild ARC earlier this month it caused quite the stir, not because it was a particularly notable or rare addition, but because it marked the facility's 60,000th patient to ever be admitted. Wild ARC opened in the August of 1997 to celebrate the B.C. SPCA's Victoria Center, and in that very first year it admitted only 291 patients. Now, the facility welcomes approximately 2,000 to 3,000 animals each year. The record-keeping at the facility, explains the organisation's wildlife assistant Ashley Currie, is a meticulous process, 'We actually treat each animal, or each patient, as an individual. They're all associated with a case number,' she says. A waddling of rescued ducklings, for example, would each be given a letter after their joint patient number to ensure all the siblings are linked. Sometimes, for duckling groups especially, the alphabet winds up being utilised as far down as the letter I. In the 28 years since its grand opening, Wild ARC has treated 180 different species. 'On average, we see about 140 species every year and 70 per cent of those are bird species,' says Currie, noting how Victoria is a landmark on the migratory map of so many avian species, which brings about a diversity locally that is far richer than other areas in B.C. He other 30 per cent Are typically mammals mammals, bar the 'occasional reptile or amphibian,' she says. Earlier this season the facility welcomed a brown pelican, a particularly rare visitor for the area, and it went down in the books as one of the Wild ARC's most notable rescues - of which there have been a few. Currie has been with the organization since 2016, and in her first year she cared for a critter that she still reflects fondly on now. It was a beaver kit, she says, that had come from the South Peace region of Northern B.C. after being separated from her family during a flash flood. 'We received special permission from the ministry to transfer her to Wild ARC, and she stayed in our specialized pool pen facility for two years until she was finally ready for release back close to where she was found,' she says. Part of Currie's job at that time had been to help source branches of various sizes to aid the baby beaver in making a sturdy lodge in her enclosure. The lodge was crafted so well, one of the wildlife rehabilitators could actually stand and jump on it. The beaver kit had been a 'pretty special patient,' one of a few that have left a legacy long after they have been released into the wild, says Currie. Wild Arc on Vancouver Island celebrates 60,000th patient Avian species makes up 70 per cent of the creatures brought in for care at the facility. She notes another: A deer fawn who was brought in with a concussion after it had been hit by a car while crossing the road with its mom. After a few days of care, a Wild ARC wildlife rehabilitator returned to the area and was able to locate the correct doe and reunite the two. 'We used some methods to call her out, and then the little fawn ran up and the mom nuzzled her and let her feed right away, and off they ran,' she recalls. Like the brown pelican, other patients that have been particularly memorable have been creatures rare or endangered. Over the winter a marbled murrelet, a small seabird known for its secretive and solitary nesting habits, was treated and successfully released. A fledgling American kestrel welcomed last year marked the first raptor of its kind the facility was able to raise and successfully release. Despite the unique and endearing nature of some patients, Currie assures there are no soft spots formed and no bending when it comes to the rules. 'We don't name them on purpose so that we don't form attachments or humanize them in the way, like our pets that are domesticated and respond positively when we use their name or talk to and interact with them,' she says. 'With wildlife, they very much do see us as a predator, and we want to respect that and make sure that we can return them back to the wild in a way that they can to succeed and live a natural life.' Around 80 per cent of the animals that come into the care of Wild ARC are admitted because of human interactions or conflicts and often, says Currie, 'they're not in great shape.' Being hit by a car, colliding with a window, or being injured by a prowling dog or cat are the top reasons wildlife is brought in. 'Finding ways to coexist with wildlife is really important, and we have a lot of tips on our website of how people can do that.'
