Latest news with #BCSPCA
CBC
13 hours ago
- General
- CBC
1.5-metre-long boa constrictor found on the loose in provincial park near Comox, B.C.
Conservation officers successfully wrangled a 1.5-metre-long boa constrictor near Comox on Vancouver Island on Thursday. Officers were alerted to a "potential large snake on the loose" in Miracle Beach Provincial Park, about 150 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, according to a Facebook post from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS). Some trails were temporarily closed, and park visitors were turned away at trail entrances, while officers searched for the snake. Conservation officers are investigating the circumstances of the loose snake. The COS said it does not believe the incident is linked to a boa constrictor that was recently captured in Tofino, B.C. Because of the boa constrictor's length, it is considered to be a "restricted reptile," which means that it cannot be released under any circumstances under the Controlled Alien Species regulation, according to the COS. The boa constrictor is now in the care of the Comox Valley SPCA. SPCA discourages buying exotic pets Sara Dubois, senior director for animal welfare science at the B.C. SPCA, said the snake appears to be healthy. But cold-blooded reptiles, like boa constrictors raised in captivity, can't survive for long outside in B.C.'s cool climate, which is very unlike their native South America. "They shouldn't be living in the wild of Canada, that's for sure," Dubois said. She said a boa constrictor (which is constrictive but not venomous) could prey on small animals if left in the wild, but it could also fail at hunting due to being raised in captivity. Dubois noted there is a four-day legal impound period that gives the owner an opportunity to find their lost pet, if the animal escaped by accident, before the snake can be put up for adoption. If it's found that the snake was intentionally abandoned, Dubois said, a series of investigations would occur. Dubois noted it's illegal to dump animals, and abandonment falls under animal cruelty legislation. Because the snake is less than three metres long, it doesn't require a permit to own under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation, according to Dubois. But she said the SPCA asks very detailed questions of potential exotic pet adopters. They usually already have an appropriate setup, including veterinary care, and extensive knowledge of these species. "Very few people have the expertise to properly care for them," Dubois said. The SPCA discourages people from buying exotic pets, particularly from pet stores. "Sometimes it seems like it's going to be an easy pet, but these exotic animals have really specialized needs," she said.
CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
Some B.C. animal rescues see donations drop, as demands increase
Social Sharing B.C. animal rescue organizations are also feeling the pinch as British Columbians face the rising cost of living, and some non-profits worry they soon may have to scale back support. While inflation rates have eased across Canada, food prices remain high in a province already struggling with unaffordable housing. The B.C. SPCA said, as of May 31, its pet food bank program gave out 4,180 more meals compared to the same period last year — but it's been difficult to meet the demand because it has been seeing a decline in donations since the beginning of 2024. Other charities helping rescued animals are also reporting a drop in donations, and say they're having to budget carefully as they weather the storm. "It's been a little trickier to feed all the animals we need to feed," said SPCA outreach specialist Diane Waters. "The concern is that we may not be able to continue assisting and growing at the level we've been growing," Waters added. Waters says that housing instability and the cost of living are major factors in the downtick in donations, and she's encouraging people to drop off extra pet food if they can't afford to donate cash anymore. Langley Animal Protection Society Executive Director Sarah Jones told CBC News in a statement that they too are seeing an increase in demand while donations are down. "We're seeing the effects of a tough economy and growing societal challenges weighing heavily on pet guardians," Jones said. "The need for support is rising, and we're working hard to keep up. We know that pets are happiest — and healthiest — when they can stay with the families who love them." Rescue in northern B.C. also struggling Angelika Langen, co-founder of the Northern Lights Wildlife Society, said over the past couple of months, she's been hearing from donors that are either cancelling or reducing donations because their financial situations have worsened. The Northern Lights Wildlife Society is unique among rescues in B.C. in caring for orphaned bears, with Northern Lights the only one allowed to rehabilitate and release grizzly bear cubs. "We have to commit to care for these bears that we already have in care, and they will be with us until next year in the spring, the same with the moose and deer," Langen said. "That's a long-term financial commitment in [the] form of food and also caregivers. So we have to budget carefully." The drop in donations comes as the rescue sees a busy start to the year so far, with 21 bear cubs in care already — compared to 24 bear cubs for the entirety of last year. Langen worries the rescue will get to a point where they may have to send rescued animals to another shelter.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Malnourished German shepherd puppies surrendered to BC SPCA
Surrendered German shepherd mix puppies are seen in this image handed out by the BC SPCA. The BC SPCA is caring for a litter of severely underweight German shepherd mix puppies that were surrendered to the organization earlier this month – and they will be available for adoption soon. The owner, located in the Thompson-Nicola region, had been trying to re-home the accidental litter, the charity says. When animal control officers contacted the owner, they acknowledged they needed help and 'immediately' surrendered the puppies to the BC SPCA. Puppy One of the underweight puppies surrendered to the BC SPCA on June 10 is pictured. 'We appreciate that the owner of these puppies did the right thing and surrendered them, however, there is no denying that these animals were suffering,' said Eileen Drever of the BC SCPA in a Thursday news release. 'We strongly recommend that anyone having difficulty caring for their animals calls the BC SPCA Animal Helpline well before their animals' condition reaches this state to see what support is available to them. Not reaching out for support and allowing the animals to suffer could mean facing charges.' These seven-month-old puppies were all very underweight and dangerously dehydrated, requiring subcutaneous fluids and a monitored re-feeding plan. They also received treatment for parasites and poor dental health. 'These young dogs have been through a lot, but it doesn't show. They love people, love playing with each and in the pool in the centre's yard,' said Meranda Dussault, manager of the BC SPCA Shuswap location, in the release. She said a pup named Checkers, the smallest and weakest of the group, has stolen all the hearts of the BC SPCA staff. Checkers Checkers, one of the surrendered puppies, is pictured. 'She is super shy, but has started to stroll up to staff, tail wagging looking for a cuddle,' said Dussault. 'She is still tired and weak, but she is getting stronger every day.' The BC SPCA says the puppies will be up for adoption in two to four weeks.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Healed after being hit by a car, B.C. fawn reunites with mother
A rescued fawn is seen in this image from the B.C. SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre Facebook page. After recovering in the care of the B.C. SPCA's Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Victoria, an adorable fawn is back in the wild with its mother. The baby deer was hit by a car and spent several days healing from head injuries and other internal trauma, the organization said in a social media post last week. The charity explained that reuniting fawns with their mothers is difficult and time sensitive, as does will only respond to their own babies. 'Our expert team was ready for the task and quickly tracked down this fawn's mother,' the post reads. 'At the right place and at the right time, the fawn immediately ran up to the doe, and our team was thrilled to witness this beautiful reunion.' Fawn A fawn reunites with its mother in this image posted to the B.C. SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre Facebook page. While this particular fawn needed the rescuers' help, Wild ARC said well-intentioned but mistaken people commonly call the organization about 'orphaned' deer or even bring healthy fawns to the centre—a phenomenon it calls 'accidental fawn-napping.' The organization says it's normal for mother deer to leave their fawns alone for long periods of time while looking for food. Signs a fawn needs help and a call to the B.C. SPCA or another wildlife rescue is warranted include if it hasn't moved from its spot for 24 hours, is crying continuously, wandering aimlessly, looks injured, or is in an unsafe location, like on the road.
Global News
12-06-2025
- General
- Global News
Demand is surging for the BC SPCA's pet food bank, but donations are falling
As the cost of living for British Columbians continues to rise, the BC SPCA says it is experiencing a decline in donations for one of its key services. In a recent press release, the organization reported that the drop is affecting all their animal centres across the province. As of May 31, 2025, the BC SPCA's pet food bank program provided 298,681 meals to pets in need, which they report is an increase of 4,180 meals compared to the previous year. 1:39 Charlie's Pet Food Bank cares for pets in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside In total, they have fed more than 20,000 vulnerable animals in B.C. this year. Story continues below advertisement 'We completely sympathize that people's ability to donate is difficult right now with the economic challenges we are all facing,' said Diane Waters, outreach specialist for the BC SPCA. 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 'But without an increase in donations, we may not be able to support all the pet guardians who need the BC SPCA's help.' BC SPCA The BC SPCA shared how one client and his dog Maya were supported by Charlie's Pet Food Bank, a community initiative that improves the lives of pets in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. 'During a hard time in his life, Maya's guardian would come by to get food and supplies,' said Waters. 'He loved Maya so much; he was willing to go without (food) to feed her.' Waters expressed her concerns over guardians having to sacrifice food for themselves to feed their pets instead. Story continues below advertisement 'Nobody should have to make that difficult decision Maya's guardian was faced with,' she said. 4:04 High cost of caring for pets hitting some British Columbians hard The BC SPCA is asking the community for donations of unopened pet food and/or cash donations for their food banks. The biggest need right now is cat food and cat litter. The BC SPCA is also looking for volunteers to help collect and distribute pet goods and supplies. Donations of supplies can be dropped off at any BC SPCA animal centre. You can find out more about how to donate at the BC SPCA's website.
