Animal Sense from BC SPCA

AnimalSense
Protecting and enhancing the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia
spca.bc.ca
Spring/Summer 2010 $2.95
INSIDE:
Tips on finding
lost pets
Ending animal
cruelty through
the Take Five
Challenge
SpEcIal
FEaturE:
BC SPCA’s
Decade in Review
Cat
World
The effects of indoor and outdoor
environments on our feline friends
PM 40065475
PM 40065475
Monthly Giving Program
spca.bc.ca
Contents
AnimalSense Spring/Summer 2010
8
Tony Campbell/istock
on the cover
features
Mark Vosper, Maple Ridge Branch
Manager, with Hamish.
Photo: Terry Guscott/ATN Visuals
coverstory
8 It’s a Cat’s World
12 Take Five
13
5 NEWS BRIEFS
D
ogs find a new “leash” on life; a spunky senior kitty survives a brutal
attack; lovable llamas are rescued from an abandoned property.
30 THE EXPERTS
D
r. Stanley Coren poses the question: do dogs laugh?; Dr. David Fraser highlights the new voices in animal welfare; Nadine Gourkow gives tips on how to talk cat.
E
ar tattoos, microchips and
ID collars are some of the
tools that can help reunite
lost pets and their owners.
28 H
elping Our Feathered
Friends
E
xpanding the satellite adoption program; summer camps inspire
youth; taking a bite out of puppy mills.
26 HAPPY ENDINGS
25 Lost and Found
A safe outdoor space is the cat’s meow.
departments
T
he BC SPCA urges animal
lovers to embrace the “Take
Five” Challenge to end animal
cruelty.
T
he experts at Wild ARC give
tips on how to prevent wild
bird injuries.
special feature
13 Decade in Review
T
he BC SPCA looks back on
10 years of achievement.
The BC SPCA is a not-for-profit reliant on support from animal lovers
like you! To explore ways to show you care, visit spca.bc.ca. Thank you!
AnimalSense
BC SPCA SPEAKING FOR ANIMALS
Spring/summer 2010
VOLUME 10, NUMBER 2
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Shannon Miller
ART DIRECTOR
Laurel MacLean
BC SPCA EDITORs
Lorie Chortyk
Craig Naherniak
COntributing writers
Corry Anderson-Fennell
Dr. Stanley Coren
Dr. David Fraser
Nadine Gourkow
Geoff Urton
COVER PHOTO
Terry Guscott/ATN Visuals
Dear friends,
senior imaging technician
Debbie Lynn Craig
electronic imaging
Berny Holzmann
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Suzy Williamson
Charitable Tax # BN 11881 9036 RR0001
AnimalSense is published for the
BC SPCA by Canada Wide Media Limited.
4th Floor-4180 Lougheed Highway,
Burnaby, BC, V5C 6A7.
Telephone 604-299-7311.
We welcome your comments on
AnimalSense magazine. Please write
to us: BC SPCA, 1245 East 7th Avenue,
Vancouver, BC V5T 1R1, or email:
info@spca.bc.ca. Website: spca.bc.ca
Telephone: 604-681-7271;
Fax: 604-681-7022.
SE
REC
Y
E •
• PL
A
CL
Printed on recycled paper.
E
No part of this magazine may be
reproduced without written permission
of the publisher. Send change-of-address
notices and covers of undeliverable copies
to: AnimalSense, BC SPCA, 1245 East 7th
Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 1R1. To receive
a copy of AnimalSense, call 604-681-7271.
Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales
Agreement No. 40065475 / ©BC SPCA.
In this special issue of AnimalSense magazine, we look back at the
achievements in animal welfare that you, our supporters, have made
possible since the new millennium began.
During the past decade, our staff and volunteers have provided handson care for more than 350,000 animals who have suffered unspeakable
harm as a result of abuse, neglect, abandonment and injury. We have also
helped hundreds of thousands of other animals through our advocacy and
prevention programs. It has been our privilege to serve each and every
one of these animals and to have witnessed the transformation that has
occurred in animal welfare in British Columbia through the work of our
staff, volunteers and generous supporters.
While our “Decade in Review” offers but a snapshot of all the work
that has taken place during the past 10 years, it provides some inspiring
examples of what is possible when people with a shared passion and
commitment join together to change the lives of animals in need. On behalf
of the BC SPCA and the animals we serve, thank you for your continued
support in making these achievements possible.
With warmest regards,
Craig Daniell
Chief Executive Officer
BC SPCA
briefs
Laying the foundations for B.C.’s first ‘green’ shelter
Construction has begun on a new state-ofthe-art community animal centre in Maple
Ridge. The 6,500-square-foot facility, a
partnership between the BC SPCA and the
District of Maple Ridge, will be the first LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) accredited animal shelter in British
Columbia. “In order to qualify for LEED
certification we have incorporated many
environmentally friendly design elements,”
says Bob Busch, general manager of
operations for the BC SPCA. “We are
using recycled building materials and will
incorporate room light sensors, recycled
rainwater, a high-efficiency HVAC system
for ventilation and air conditioning, passive
solar energy, compact fluorescent lighting,
water-efficient landscaping and other design
features to conserve energy and protect the
environment.”
In addition to its “green” focus, the
new community animal centre will include
modern animal welfare designs to promote
the physical and psychological health
of animals. “The centre will incorporate
shared ‘apartments’ for dogs to increase
socialization, communal indoor-outdoor
areas for cats, isolation rooms for sick
and injured animals, designated areas for
temperament and behaviour assessments, a volunteer area and
a large multi-purpose room for community use,” says Busch. In
addition to providing animal control services for the District of
Maple Ridge, the BC SPCA will offer a wide range of services for
animals in Maple Ridge and surrounding regions, including animal
cruelty investigations, humane education programs for youth and
adults, advocacy campaigns to address animal welfare issues,
low-cost spay/neuter programs and more.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new community animal
centre took place on April 6 and the BC SPCA hopes to celebrate
the grand opening of the facility by the end of 2010. For more
details or to find out how your support can make a difference,
please visit spca.bc.ca.
Satellite adoption program expanding
The BC SPCA’s satellite adoption program is growing by leaps and
bounds. Since forming a partnership with Bosley’s Pet Food Plus
last October, the BC SPCA and the popular pet supply company
have launched 17 satellite adoption centres in Bosley’s locations
in Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Nanaimo and Penticton.
“We are very grateful to Bosley’s for this tremendous opportunity
to create awareness about animals available for adoption and
to increase the number of animal lives we can save each year,”
says Mark Takhar, the BC SPCA’s assistant general manager of
operations. In addition to hosting the SPCA adoption centres,
Bosley’s has donated $20,000 toward the purchase of enclosures
for the program.
The BC SPCA’s network of satellite adoption centres, which
also includes veterinary clinics and retail stores, is linked to
the society’s Drive for Lives program, which transfers thousands
of animals each year from areas of the province where there is
overwhelming pet overpopulation to southern B.C. where homes
can be found for them. To make a donation for Drive for Lives or
to learn more about the SPCA’s satellite adoption program, please
visit spca.bc.ca. Veterinary clinics or other retailers interested in
becoming an SPCA satellite adoption site are invited to call the
BC SPCA at 604-681-7271.
Spring/Summer 2010 • Animal Sense
5
briefs
Summer camps inspire youth
“BC SPCA camps provide a way for kids age eight to 12
to engage in the SPCA’s mission work and to make a
difference for animals,” says Craig Naherniak,
BC SPCA general manager, humane education. “We offer
32 weeks of camps in Greater Vancouver as well as in
Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson, Comox, Victoria, Penticton
and Nanaimo.” During the camps, youth learn about
pets, farm animals and wildlife and have opportunities
to meet some of the animals available for adoption. “We
want to involve all kids in our activities so it is gratifying that we can offer some bursaries to youth from lower
income families thanks to a special donor to our program,” says Naherniak. For more information about summer
camps or to support this program, please visit spca.bc.ca/youth.
British Columbians willing to put their money
where their hearts are
Cultivating farm
welfare expertise
The BC SPCA has launched a
new online professional resource
section to help farmers and
other agricultural professionals
improve animal welfare. “Intended
for farmers, veterinarians and
scientists, the resources provide
innovative, practical tools and
advice to improve on-farm welfare,”
says Geoff Urton, the BC SPCA’s
animal welfare coordinator. Learn
more about the BC SPCA’s work in
farm animal welfare by subscribing
to FarmSense e-newsletter at
spca.bc.ca/news.
6
Animal Sense • Spring/Summer 2010
Seventy-four per cent of British Columbians are
willing to pay more for farm animal products
certified to humane standards of care by a third
party, according to a Harris Decima survey
co-commissioned by the BC SPCA. “That’s exactly
what the SPCA Certified label, which can be
found on eggs, chicken, pork, beef and cheese,
is all about,” says Alyssa Bell Stoneman, BC SPCA farm animal welfare
coordinator.
“Certification may slightly increase the cost of the product,” says Bell
Stoneman, “But consumers can take comfort knowing the welfare of the
animals on SPCA Certified farms is verified to a high
standard.”
SPCA Certified products are available in more than
100 retail locations across B.C. “Consumers should
look for our logo and, at select locations such as
Choices Markets, special shelf ads identifying SPCA Certified products,”
says Bell Stoneman. Visit spca.bc.ca/farm for a list of retail locations and
the Customer Request Card supporters can use to encourage more stores
to stock SPCA Certified farm products.
Accent Inns shows its support
B.C. hotel chain Accent Inns has
entered into a partnership with the
BC SPCA to help animals in need.
“We are delighted that Accent Inns
has joined our team of supporters
who help us care for more than
37,000 animals each year,” says
Rosemary Conder, the BC SPCA’s
chief development officer. Under
the new partnership agreement,
Accent Inns will donate a portion
of the pet fee collected from hotel
guests staying with
their furry friends
to the BC SPCA
and has provided
complimentary and discounted
hotel stays to the BC SPCA valued
at $2,500. Accent Inns has hotels
in five B.C. locations: Vancouver
Airport (Richmond), Burnaby,
Kamloops, Kelowna and Victoria.
For more information, visit
spca.bc.ca/support.
Taking a bite out of puppy mills
The BC SPCA has launched an advocacy campaign
to make it more difficult for puppy-mill operators to
sell animals through B.C. pet stores, classified ads
and the Internet. Through a series of presentations to
municipalities, the SPCA is urging local governments
to create bylaws that would require pet stores to keep
detailed, accurate records on where they source the
puppies they sell, to provide veterinary records on
the health of the animals in their stores and to have
a licensed veterinarian make regular visits to their
breeders to ensure proper animal care standards
are in place. The BC SPCA is also working with
newspapers and online sites to protect pet guardians
from purchasing from unscrupulous breeders. “Our
constables regularly shut down puppy mills across B.C.
but until we can address the unfettered distribution
of puppy-mill dogs, the terrible suffering and cruelty
that these animals endure will continue,” says Marcie
Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for
the BC SPCA. According to
Moriarty, a puppy-mill dog
is one kept in inhumane
conditions without adequate
food, water, medical care
or socialization. Genetically
substandard animals are
repeatedly bred and the sick
and inbred puppies are sold
to unsuspecting members
of the public for $1,000 to
$2,500 apiece.
To find out more about
puppy mills and how you
can help stop them, visit
spca.bc.ca/advocacy.
Regulating rampant rabbits
“Domestic rabbit colonies have begun popping up
in communities all across the province, resulting in
unnecessary suffering for the animals,” says Sara
Dubois, the BC SPCA’s manager of wildlife services.
In addition to the immense suffering experienced by
abandoned rabbits as a result of starvation, disease
and predation, the BC SPCA has also seen a rise in
the number of homeless rabbits entering its shelters,
caring for 795 stray and surrendered rabbits in 2009
alone.
Fortunately, some municipal councils are taking
action. In March, the City of Richmond took a
leadership role on the rabbit overpopulation issue by
becoming the first municipality in B.C. to ban the
sale of rabbits from pet stores in the city limits. This
follows a progressive move by the City of Kelowna,
which passed a bylaw in November 2008 that requires
pet stores to only sell spayed or neutered rabbits. You
can find more information on pet overpopulation and
how you can help to end it at spca.bc.ca/spayneuter.
Hill’s® Science Diet® sponsors Open House series
The BC SPCA is grateful to Hill’s
Science Diet® for its generous
sponsorship of the 2010 Open House
series, which was held in branches
across the province in May. Through
the series, branches opened their
doors and held community events to
®
showcase animals
available for adoption
and to highlight the
work being carried
out to help abused,
neglected, injured and
abandoned animals.
“We are grateful to
Hill’s® for going above
and beyond to help us
promote the adoption
of homeless animals in
our care,” says Lorie
Chortyk, the BC SPCA’s
general manager of
community relations.
In addition to the Open
House sponsorship, Hill’s® Science Diet®
donates pet food for all dogs, cats,
kittens and puppies being cared for in
BC SPCA branches across the province
and offers a 3.5- to 5-pound bag of food
with every dog and cat adoption. Visit
spca.bc.ca/support for details. n
5 Freedoms
for all animals
1. F
reedom from
hunger and thirst.
2. Freedom from
pain, injury and
disease.
3. Freedom from
distress.
4. Freedom from
discomfort.
5. Freedom to
express behaviours
that promote
well-being.
Spring/Summer 2010 • Animal Sense
7
Coverstory
Noah basking in the sun inside his cat enclosure.
Photo right: Vinnie (l) and Noah (r).
Cat enclosures 101
Disney, Kitkat and Missy live in
the lap of luxury. As indoor cats
with protected access to the
outdoors, they have plenty of
room to express their natural
behaviours inside a large, covered
enclosure in guardian Gloria
Gibb’s back yard. Gibb purchased
the unit from Toronto-based
Habitat Haven (habitathaven.com),
which sells everything from small
balcony enclosures for apartments
to massive yard enclosures for
commercial kennel operators.
Units are escape-proof and can
include pet doors, tunnels, shelves,
perches, hammocks and floor liners.
Owner Kris Kischer founded the
company quite by accident – she
started getting requests from
friends to build for them the
intricate cat enclosures she was
constructing for her apartment.
“I was quite used to making something
out of nothing and I just went for it,”
says Kischer, former prop mistress for
the National Ballet of Canada.
Kischer began attending cat shows
and researching cat behaviour to
refine her structures, and Habitat
Haven was born. “Today, it’s a little
bit IKEA and a little bit Habitrail,”
she explains. “When they use it,
lethargic cats suddenly have a
new lease on life. The peeing in the
house stops, the aggression stops –
it’s magic.”
It’s a cat’s world
A safe outdoor space is the cat’s meow
The day her cat was treed by a fox and sustained a collapsed
lung trying to climb down, Gloria Gibb had an epiphany.
“I’m extremely conscious about the safety of my cats, and I
realized that the outdoors can be a dangerous place for a cat. She
was treed by a fox, but owls were also a concern.”
So when Gibb moved to an upscale Prince George
neighbourhood five years ago and built her dream home, her
three beloved cats got one, too. Disney, Kitkat and Missy are now
exclusively indoor cats with unrestricted access to an expansive
three-part outdoor enclosure that includes six metres (20 feet)
of tunnels under Gibb’s deck, a 2.5-metre (eight-foot) climbing
tower and a grassy greenway where the cats can lounge and play
in wild grass.
Gibb says the surprisingly unobtrusive structure not only
keeps her cats safe from predators, other cats and cars, it stops
them from digging in neighbours’ gardens and making quick
meals of vulnerable bird populations.
“They love it,” says Gibb. “They like to play ‘tiger’ in the grass
or just go up in the tower and observe the world.”
Like Gibb, New Westminster cat lover Virginia Stocco created a
8
Animal Sense • Spring/Summer 2010
similar outdoor habitat for her four friendly
felines by enclosing in chicken wire most
of the back patio of her New Westminster
heritage-style home. But rather than make
the structure the cats’ exclusive domain, she
added a sitting area for herself.
“There’s nothing I love more than to come
out here and read, surrounded by these
lovely creatures,” says Stocco.
Stocco’s outdoor enclosure includes pet
beds, pots of cat grass, multiple scratching
posts, a small pool, ramps, platforms and
climbing boards.
Unfortunately, fancy feline flats like
these aren’t realistic for everyone, especially
people who live in apartments, townhomes or
high-density developments with small yards.
Luckily, there are many other ways these
guardians can meet the unique physical,
psychological and emotional needs of their
indoor cats, and that’s primarily by creating
a stimulating environment, says Nadine
Gourkow, animal welfare manager for the
BC SPCA.
“Being a responsible cat guardian isn’t just
a matter of providing food every day – cats
also require regular socialization and play,”
says Gourkow.
The frustrated feline
It’s estimated that roughly 50 per cent of
Canadian cat guardians keep their pets
exclusively indoors. While indoor cats are
better protected against predation, disease
and accidents, they are susceptible to other
welfare issues that seriously compromise
their well-being, including hyperactivity,
self-mutilation, destructiveness and
depression.
Every year, hundreds of these cats are
There are other kits
on the market, but
adventurous cat
guardians can build their
own with just wood and
wire. Virginia Stocco used
two-by-four pieces of
wood and chicken wire
to enclose her back deck
for cats Fanny, Vinnie,
Yoja and Noah. “You can
enclose a deck, part of a
patio, garden or yard, or
create an independent
enclosure – it’s your
choice,” said Stocco.
Stocco lives in New
Westminster’s Queen’s
Park, where sprawling
heritage homes keep
company with mature
trees, manicured lawns
and city parks. Residents
are quick to report any
unsettling architectural
anomalies to City Hall,
and Stocco hasn’t had a
complaint yet. l
surrendered to BC SPCA shelters across the province for housesoiling, biting, aggression and other behavioural problems. If
there is no medical reason for a cat’s unwanted behaviour, the
trouble most likely stems from the cat’s environment – and in
the case of indoor cats, most often what that environment is
lacking.
“If your cat is peeing around the house, that’s a genuine
expression of poor welfare,” says Gourkow. “It means he’s
frustrated and suffering, which makes it incumbent upon you to
find out why and to address it.”
An indoor cat whose welfare needs are met will behave
normally; that is, he will eat, drink, groom himself, play, observe
his surroundings and eliminate in his litter box. Either the
absence of these normal behaviours, or the presence of abnormal
or unwanted behaviours – such as hiding all day or spraying
around the house – indicates there is something wrong.
“For the indoor cat, prevention of behaviour problems comes
through creating a stimulating environment with a commitment
on the part of guardians to engage in proactive play and
socialization,” says Gourkow. 
Spring/Summer 2010 • Animal Sense
9
CoversTory
Cat enclosures allow indoor cats to
exhibit natural behaviours outdoors.
Right: grey domestic tabby loves
climbing his scratching post.
recognizing
the signs of a
frustrated cat
Feline Fun
Cost-effective and fun ways to promote natural cat behaviours
Cats are happiest doing what
comes naturally. “If you’ve ever
watched a documentary about
exotic cats like tigers or lions,
you’ve seen how in the wild they
like to pounce, climb and chase
things,” says Craig Naherniak,
the BC SPCA’s general manager of
humane education. “Domestic cats
behave in a similar way, which
gives you an inkling of what your
own cat likes to do.
“Ideally,” says Naherniak, “a
cat’s environment should promote
natural behaviours such as hiding,
chasing, climbing, jumping and
pouncing.” Appealing to those
natural instincts, however,
doesn’t have to break the bank.
For example, some cats prefer a
10
Animal Sense • Spring/Summer 2010
cardboard box to a posh pet-store
toy.
“Toys don’t have to be
expensive,” says Naherniak, “they
just have to provide exercise,
mental stimulation and positive
interaction with people and other
cats.”
Cats like unpredictable
movements and sounds, and things
that stimulate their whiskers
through changes in air pressure,
like feathery wands and dangling
objects. Appropriate toys include
round plastic shower curtain rings,
plastic balls with bells inside, ping
pong balls, paper bags with the
handles removed, crumpled up
paper balls, empty toilet paper rolls
and puzzle toys.
For cats who like to observe
and explore – and almost all do –
perching space in front of a picture
window is ideal, and a window that
overlooks a well-used bird feeder is
even better.
Cats are avid climbers, so
adding vertical space to their
“A CAT’S ENVIRONMENT
SHOUlD PROMOTE
NATURAl BEHAVIOURS
SUCH AS HIDING,
CHASING, ClIMBING,
jUMPING AND POUNCING.”
– Craig Naherniak,
BC SPCA general manager of
humane education
Cat guardians should note that
the above symptoms usually
happen gradually and are
signs that a cat is frustrated
and lacking environmental
enrichment. But the sudden
onset of any of these symptoms
could indicate trouble in the
household or a medical rather
than a psychological problem,
and cats in this group should see
a veterinarian immediately. 
habitat is another way to provide
environmental enrichment. This is
especially vital to cats who live in
small apartments or suites.
“It’s an easy way to create
space for your pet, and he’ll relish
the opportunity to explore from
different and unusual perspectives,”
says Naherniak.
Proceed with caution in the great
outdoors. The BC SPCA strongly
recommends guardians keep cats in
a stimulating indoor environment,
however, there are some cats who
will decline physically, emotionally
and psychologically if kept indoors
all the time, regardless of how
hard their guardians try to meet
their welfare needs. In these cases,
make sure the harness is wellfitted and designed specifically for
cats. Take time to master leash
walking inside before taking the
cat outdoors, then master leash
walking on the patio or in the
yard before venturing into foreign
territory.”
Visit spca.bc.ca for more
information on cat care
and behaviour. n
michelle gibson/istock
Your cat may be experiencing
poor welfare if he or she:
• Urinates or defecates in the
house;
• Bites people or is aggressive;
• Grooms excessively or pulls
out patches of fur;
• Walks around the house
constantly meowing;
• Meows at a door, but doesn’t
use it when it’s opened to him;
• Sleeps or hides all the time;
• Sheds excessively;
• Is obese; or
• Has a dramatic increase or
decrease in appetite.
guardians may choose to give cats
restricted access to the outdoors.
“This is where it’s so important
that your cat has a collar and
an ID tag as well as a tattoo or
microchip,” says Naherniak.
There are a variety of ways
to allow cats to experience the
outdoors safely. One is to purchase
a commercial fence kit with a
topper that sits at a 45-degree
angle toward the yard; cats won’t
climb upside down, and therefore
can’t scale the topper to get over
the fence. Another effective way to
keep cats from scaling a fence is to
cap it with PVC pipe that rolls when
the cat tries to grab hold.
There is the option of leashtraining, however, not all cats
will tolerate walking on a
leash. Confident, outgoing
cats adapt well, but anxious
cats don’t. Naherniak advises
consulting a cat behaviourist to
help with leash training.
“For leash training, use a
harness instead of a collar and
Keeping your indoor cat content
Consider these tips to help make the most of your cat’s nine lives
• Play with your cat every day. Research indicates that play and
socialization activities help prevent the behaviour problems that can
sometimes develop in indoor-only cats.
• Provide stable scratching boxes or posts in areas your cat likes to
spend time. Cats may scratch horizontally or vertically, so make sure to
purchase supplies that are appropriate for your cat.
• If your cat benefits from catnip, sprinkle some on the scratching post to
encourage him or her to investigate.
• Avoid declawing your cat. Thought to reduce destructive scratching
in indoor cats, declawing is a painful surgical procedure that involves
amputating part of the toe. Declawed cats often develop behavioural
problems such as inappropriate elimination and biting.
• Cats like to lounge by the window and absorb the sunlight while watching
the outdoors. Purchase or build a cat tree to accommodate a “cat perch”
or move your sofa near the window and allow your cat to lie on the back
of it.
• If your cat spends a lot of time gazing out the window, erect a bird feeder
outside to provide him or her with hours of entertainment.
• Supply toys that appeal to your cat’s natural sensibility to hunt; balls with
bells, ping pong balls, toys on string, balls of paper, puzzle boxes and even
toilet paper rolls. If you want to enjoy playtime, too, purchase a laser
pointer and watch your cat chase the beam.
• If you have the patience, room and resources to accommodate a second
cat, consider adding one for additional company. But be sure to introduce
your resident cat to your new cat properly. You’ll find how in the pet care
section of the BC SPCA website (spca.bc.ca).
• Plant a pot of indoor greens like cat grass or alfalfa for your cat to
munch on.
• Hide treats around the house and encourage your cat to find them.
• Clean the litter box every day, and have at least one litter box per cat.
Avoid covered litter boxes. 
Spring/Summer 2010 • Animal Sense
11
Just a tablespoon of
antifreeze can kill a cat
or small dog. Standard
ethylene glycol antifreeze is
highly toxic to pets, wildlife
and children. Switch to
pet-friendly antifreeze.
are then sold through pet stores,
classified ads and the Internet. By
ensuring that your pet comes from
a shelter, rescue group or reputable
breeder, you can help put a stop to
the demand for puppy-mill dogs.
Know the facts about where puppymill dogs are sold and help us spread
the word. To find out more, visit
spca.bc.ca/advocacy.
3. Make a quick change to
save a life. Ethylene glycol-based
antifreeze, the most commonly
used type of antifreeze in vehicles,
kills thousands of domestic pets
and wildlife each year. Animals are
drawn to the sweet taste and less
than a tablespoon of the spilled
substance can kill a cat or small
dog. By switching to non-toxic
propylene glycol antifreeze you
can save lives. Ask your mechanic
to stock pet-safe antifreeze or
purchase your own. For more
information, visit spca.bc.ca/
antifreeze.
4. Help create a new generation
of animal supporters. Do you
Take five...
Steps to a more humane world
We all hate to think of innocent animals suffering, but can one person
really make a difference?
Absolutely!
The BC SPCA urges all animal lovers to embrace the “Take Five”
Challenge – make a commitment to take five steps this year to help end
animal cruelty and encourage five friends to do the same. Your actions will
save lives.
1. Eat humanely. SPCA Certified is a food labelling program that promotes
the humane treatment of farm animals. The SPCA Certified label enables
consumers to choose food products from producers who agree to raise their
animals according to high welfare standards set out by the BC SPCA’s farm
animal welfare department. SPCA Certified products include eggs, chicken,
beef, pork and cheese. A full list of SPCA Certified producers and retailers
is available on the BC SPCA website (spca.bc.ca/farm).
2. Take a bite out of puppy mills. Help us end the suffering of dogs living
in puppy mills – substandard breeding facilities where dogs are kept in
horrific conditions, refused adequate food, care and medical treatment and
where they are bred repeatedly in order to maximize profits. The puppies
12
Animal Sense • Spring/Summer 2010
know a youth between eight and
13 years old who loves animals? By
purchasing him or her a BC SPCA
Kids Club membership, he or she will
join more than 3,000 kids across B.C.
who are helping to create a more
humane world for animals. Members
receive Bark! magazine four times
a year, a monthly e-newsletter,
activity sheets and other resources
that offer animal care information
and ideas on how to help animals in
their communities. For details, see
spca.bc.ca/youth.
5. Get involved! The BC SPCA would
not exist without the thousands of
volunteers and supporters who help
us care for 37,000 animals in need
each year. Make a financial gift,
volunteer your time or get involved
in one of our many advocacy
campaigns to help animals. One way
you can help is to join our annual
signature event Scotiabank &
BC SPCA Paws for a Cause walk in
your community in September.
Check the BC SPCA website for Paws
for a Cause updates (spca.bc.ca) and
for details on how your support can
make a difference.
Take five…and save a life! n
decade in revieW
What a
difference a
decade makes!
In this special feature we take a look back at some of the major achievements in animal welfare
that you, our valued supporters, have helped us accomplish during the past decade. There have
been dramatic improvements and changes for animals during the past 10 years – many of which
had their roots in a provincewide Community Consultation carried out by the BC SPCA in 2001.
Through a series of public hearings, written submissions and deliberate dialogues with key
stakeholders, the society heard thousands of ideas, opinions and concerns about urgent animal
welfare issues in various regions of B.C. This feedback helped the BC SPCA to shape our vision
and strategic planning throughout the past decade. Key needs identified in the consultation
included: an increased focus on advocacy and cruelty investigations, new strategies
to address pet overpopulation, more education programs for youth, a move away from
dependency on animal control to return to the BC SPCA’s core mission work, increased
financial accountability and transparency, action to address the trade of exotic wild
animals, and efforts to reduce the euthanasia of animals in British Columbia.
Through an extensive reorganization of the society in 2002, the BC SPCA was able to
streamline operations and maximize our ability to address the issues
outlined in the consultation.
I hope you will be inspired by the achievements outlined in the
following pages. My sincere thanks to our incredible supporters,
staff and volunteers who have made these accomplishments
possible.
photos: Eric issEléE/istock
Craig Daniell,
Chief Executive Officer
BC SPCA
10 Years of the
Action plan for 2010
decade in review
This year, the BC SPCA plans to conduct a
comprehensive, provincewide research project to
determine the root causes of pet overpopulation in
communities across B.C. so that effective, regionally
based solutions can be identified and implemented.
A campaign against the sale of puppy-mill dogs is
also planned.
Taking a stand
All of the BC SPCA’s position statements on animal
welfare issues – from animals in research to
xenotransplantation – are available on our public
website (spca.bc.ca/welfare). These statements,
developed by a panel of animal welfare experts from
within the BC SPCA and the wider scientific community,
are reviewed regularly. Over the past decade, 22 new
position statements have been added.
A Stronger Voice
for Animals
Advocacy is at the heart of the BC SPCA’s
mission – through our many campaigns
to address the root causes of animal
suffering, we are the voice of “those who
cannot speak for themselves.” With the
passionate support of animal lovers across
the province, the BC SPCA has led a wide
range of advocacy campaigns during the
past decade to:
• Strengthen animal cruelty laws in B.C.;
• Prevent the irresponsible sale and keeping
of wild exotic animals in captivity;
A humane choice
• Petition for improved national standards for
transporting farm animals;
• Highlight the plight of chained and backyard dogs;
• Help prevent the sale of dogs from puppy mills in
pet stores;
• Successfully call for a ban on rodeo events which
cause injury or death to animals;
• Promote pet-safe antifreeze;
• Prevent injuries and death of dogs transported in
the back of pickup trucks;
• Promote spay/neuter initiatives to end the tragedy
of pet overpopulation; and
• Advocate for pet-friendly rental accommodation.
The 2002 launch of SPCA Certified was a
major achievement for the BC SPCA. This food
labelling program allows consumers to choose
meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products from
farmers who raise animals according to high
animal welfare standards set out by the BC
SPCA. Today, the program includes 22 certified
farms and more than 100 retail and farm-gate
locations across B.C. and Alberta offering
a range of SPCA Certified products. Since
the program was launched, nearly 1.8 million
farm animals have been raised to BC SPCA
standards! To find an SPCA Certified retailer
near you, visit spca.bc.ca/farm.
thomas bradford/istock
Advocacy for farm animals
A decade ago, cats and dogs were the first animals that
came to mind when people thought of the BC SPCA.
Today, the BC SPCA is proud to be the only SPCA in
Canada to have a department dedicated solely to raising
the standards of welfare and care for the 700 million
farm animals raised throughout the country each year.
As a result, we’ve achieved great successes for millions
of animals, including a voluntary prohibition on tail
docking and electric prod use in dairy cattle in 2009.
We have also influenced Canada’s standards for farm
animal care and organic farming, building codes to
prevent fatal barn fires, and government protocols for
animal care during emergencies and disease outbreaks,
such as the avian flu.
kevin russ/istock
Model bylaws
In 2009, the BC SPCA published a
comprehensive set of model animal
welfare bylaws, on topics ranging
from cat licensing to dangerous
dogs, which municipalities can
adopt to promote high standards of
care and management of animals
in their community. These model
bylaws are now being introduced in
municipalities across B.C.
Applying science to animal welfare
In order to speak effectively for animals, we must understand
their true needs. Fortunately, biologists who specialize in animal
health and behaviour are able to give us insight into what animals
are actually feeling and experiencing. This is why the BC SPCA
co-founded the University of British Columbia’s Animal Welfare
Program, which began graduating students into professional roles
in the field of animal welfare in 2002 (see David Fraser’s column
on page 31). The BC SPCA’s strong links with this program ensure
that leading-edge scientific evidence forms the foundation of the
society’s animal welfare programs.
10 Years of the
The End Animal
Cruelty campaign
In 2006, the BC SPCA launched
a major advocacy campaign to
strengthen B.C.’s animal cruelty
laws. With the backing of more than
50,000 animal lovers across the
province who signed our BC SPCA
petition, SPCA officials met with
the provincial government to help
draft new legislation to increase
penalties for animal abusers and
which would grant greater powers to
SPCA constables to access animals
in distress quickly and efficiently.
The amendments to the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals Act were
introduced into the Legislature on
March 6, 2008 and have already
made a significant difference in
the fight against animal cruelty.
The campaign also successfully
petitioned for the appointment of
specialized Crown counsel to handle
animal cruelty cases in B.C.
Animals online
The past decade has seen massive growth in the use of online technology to highlight animals
for adoption, share animal welfare and pet care information, raise funds for animals in distress
and mobilize advocacy efforts to improve life for animals in need. Since 2000, the number of
annual visitors to the BC SPCA’s website (spca.bc.ca) has grown from 5,400 to 1,686,268! The
BC SPCA also now has its own Facebook and Twitter sites to promote animal welfare issues.
New regulations on exotic animals
In April 2007, the BC SPCA called for the province’s first
exotic animal legislation with a detailed submission to
the B.C. Ministry of Environment’s Wildlife Act Review
Process. The BC SPCA petitioned the government to
prohibit a broad list of exotic wild animals who are
commonly kept as pets and suffer poor welfare in
captivity. The campaign was an outstanding success!
In April 2008, the provincial government announced
the introduction of Bill 29, Environmental (Species and
Public Protection) Amendment Act, which for the first
time enables the ministry to manage the breeding,
trafficking and keeping of dangerous exotic species. The
passing of this bill on May 28, 2008 coincided with the
BC SPCA’s International Symposium on Exotic Animals –
“To Preserve & Protect.”
10 Years of the
decade in review
Stronger animal cruelty laws
Specialized Crown counsel
A three-year BC SPCA advocacy campaign entitled
“End Animal Cruelty” was instrumental in convincing
the B.C. government to introduce new, stronger
legislation to fight animal cruelty. The new legislation,
which was introduced in spring 2008, expanded the
definition of distress to include issues of enrichment
and psychological welfare as well as physical neglect
and abuse. In addition, the new laws more than doubled
the penalties for animal cruelty, dramatically increased
obstruction of justice penalties for those impeding
animal cruelty cases, enabled BC SPCA constables to
obtain a warrant to seize an animal using a telewarrant
system – a life-saving change for animals in remote
areas – and a number of other changes that have helped
BC SPCA constables respond to animals in distress more
quickly and efficiently.
As part of the End Animal Cruelty campaign,
the BC SPCA successfully petitioned for the
appointment of specialized Crown counsel
to deal with animal cruelty cases. Having
a Crown lawyer who is familiar with this
specialized area of law has resulted in
stronger sentences for those who abuse
and neglect animals and more consistent
prosecution of animal abusers.
“One of the results we’ve seen from
having specialized Crown counsel
for animal cruelty cases is that some
individuals charged with cruelty are
now awaiting trial in jail, a sign that
crimes against animals are being taken
much more seriously.”
Warranted intervention
– Marcie Moriarty,
general manager, cruelty investigations
In December 2005, the BC SPCA seized Shadow, a nursing female Lab-cross, after her
six puppies were removed from her and dumped in a local park only hours after their
birth. With the help of local police, the owner of the dog was quickly located. In
addition to launching cruelty charges, the SPCA obtained a warrant to seize Shadow,
who was still in the owner’s custody, citing her trauma at being separated from her
newborn litter. It was the first time the BC SPCA successfully obtained a warrant
based solely on the psychological distress of an animal.
Lifetime bans
Fighting Animal
Cruelty
A revitalized cruelty investigations department
Prior to the reorganization of the
BC SPCA in 2002, there were few
resources to carry out cruelty
investigations. Individual branches
responded to complaints of abuse
and neglect as best they could,
often using volunteers, but few
warrants were ever issued and few
cases brought to trial. In 2003,
the BC SPCA created a centralized
provincial cruelty investigations
department and developed a
comprehensive training program
for full- and part-time constables
across the province. The department
is now divided into five regional
areas overseen by senior animal
protection officers and all cases
10 Years of the
are thoroughly reviewed at a senior
level before being presented to
Crown counsel.
The high level of professionalism
in the department has led to
an average of 5,000 to 6,000
investigations carried out annually,
up to 133 warrants executed each
year, a record number of cases
being successfully prosecuted
and approximately 5,000 animals
rescued from dangerous or
neglectful situations each year by
BC SPCA constables. During the
past decade, a number of BC SPCA
investigations have also set legal
precedent for case law relating to
animal cruelty.
Captive cruelty
The BC SPCA has worked to protect
animals in captivity this past decade
through major investigations at zoo
facilities that fail to meet proper
standards of care. High-profile
cruelty cases included the case of
Hazina, a baby hippo kept alone in a
dark shed at the Greater Vancouver
Zoo and an investigation into a
number of badly neglected animals
at Mountain View Conservation
and Breeding Centre in Langley.
Following SPCA investigations,
charges were submitted against
the Greater Vancouver Zoo, which
constructed a large new habitat for
Hazina. Charges against Mountain
View are currently pending.
In February 2005, following what is believed to be the
largest seizure of puppy-mill dogs in B.C., Princeton
resident Allan Materi was placed on house arrest and
given a lifetime ban on owning animals. This case, which
involved 95 animals, marked the first of several lifetime
bans handed down by judges following BC SPCA cruelty
investigations this decade.
The cost of caring
In November 2002, 13 BC SPCA
cruelty officers seized 103 animals
who were living in deplorable and
inhumane conditions near Kaslo, B.C.
The majority of the animals rescued
were wild exotics such as Barbary
apes, marmosets, a Japanese snow
monkey and other animals who
required very specialized care.
Because of stringent rules dictating
the transport of exotic animals
across borders and the lack of
accredited facilities in North America
willing to accept the animals, the
BC SPCA had to build special
enclosures to house the primates
and spent nearly $100,000 caring
for them for more than a year
before they could be transferred to
sanctuaries in the United States.
The BC SPCA spends more than
$2 million annually to investigate
complaints of animal cruelty and
neglect.
Charmed by a prince
It was a fairy-tale ending for a 13-year-old Percheron horse named
Prince Charming, and 19 other badly neglected horses seized from
a property in Pemberton in 2006. The horses were emaciated,
dehydrated and were badly in need of grooming and hoof care. When
Wendee Cristante, founder of the celebrated Canadian Clyde Ride,
saw Prince Charming she fell in love and adopted him. Once a mere
skeleton, he now weighs more than a tonne and is a featured member
of the Canadian Clyde Ride team. All of the other horses from the
investigation were also adopted into loving homes.
did you know? Caring for the overwhelming number
of abandoned and neglected horses rescued by the BC SPCA each
year is one of the highest cost factors for the cruelty investigations
department.
10 Years of the
decade in review
(National Average: 64%)
The Five Freedoms
The BC SPCA began the decade
with a clarified charter and mission
centred on the internationally
recognized five freedoms of animal
welfare:
73%
Animal health
and biosecurity
Adoption and Return to Owner Rate
120,000
60%
49%
80,000
40%
40,000
20%
freedom from hunger and thirst;
freedom from pain, injury and
disease;
freedom from distress;
freedom from discomfort; and
freedom to express behaviours
that promote well-being.
The BC SPCA’s goal: to be an
evidenced-based animal welfare
organization dedicated to the
welfare of all animals in human
care.
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
0%
Animals Admitted
Tracking 35,000+ animals per year
Prior to 2004, shelter record-keeping depended on a combination of paper records and
an inconsistent software system, making the gathering and sharing of SPCA shelter
statistics nearly impossible. “In 2005, the BC SPCA introduced Shelter Buddy, a webbased animal tracking system, that connects all 37 branches to the same database
of animals and animal information,” says Mark Takhar, assistant general manager of
operations. Aside from streamlining record-keeping, the BC SPCA can now run “real
time” records and detailed reports on every animal in the BC SPCA system.
Facilities: A gold standard for animals on a bronze budget
Welfare and Shelters
DogSense: Assessing dog personalities
At the beginning of the last decade, more than 30 per cent of adopted
dogs were returned to shelters as a result of poor matching. In 2002, the
society introduced a unique evidenced-based temperament assessment
tool to determine the personality profile of each dog. DogSense also
includes in-shelter daily welfare monitoring, remediation techniques for
dog behaviour issues and a rigorous matching program to unite dogs with
appropriate guardians. The DogSense program has reduced the return rate
for dogs to six per cent – one quarter the national average!
CatSense: Improving the emotional life of cats
A decade ago, if you walked into a cat area in a shelter you would commonly
witness highly stressed cats hiding in their litter boxes. Since the creation
and implementation of the Hide, Perch & Go box (pictured above) and our
CatSense welfare protocols, shelter cats are more relaxed, adoptions are
up and disease rates are down significantly. Innovative cat handling and
housing techniques, including communal cat rooms, the use of stressreducing pheromones and low-stress cleaning techniques are now the norm
in BC SPCA shelters.
When cats can hide, perch, scent mark and control the amount of exposure
to human activities, they adapt to shelter life faster, stay healthier and are
less stressed. Once a cat is adopted, the Hide, Perch & Go box converts to
a temporary transportation carrier. In the home the box is reassembled,
providing a safe and familiar item that allows the cat to adjust to her new
surroundings quicker and with less stress. The box is now being used in
animal care facilities across the world.
10 Years of the
“There are few in the
international humane
movement who haven’t
heard of Nadine Gourkow,
the BC SPCA’s animal welfare
manager, and her Hide, Perch
& Go box – perhaps the single
most significant cat animal
welfare device ever created.”
Application of the five freedoms is being implemented into the design and renovation
of BC SPCA facilities. For example, new facilities incorporate group housing of
animals to meet their social and welfare needs, isolation rooms, HEPA ventilation
systems to lower disease transmission, adopter “get acquainted” rooms, and play
areas so animals can engage in behaviours that promote emotional well-being. In
addition, raised dog beds, natural lighting, sound baffling, soothing music, plug-in
pheromones, and other innovations all contribute to improving shelter animal
welfare.
During the past 10 years, the SPCA has invested millions of dollars upgrading and
improving facilities according to a comprehensive, province wide facilities plan. New
facilities were built on the Sunshine Coast (2000), Comox (2000), Prince Rupert
(2002) and Penticton (2006). Major renovations have also been made to facilities in
Quesnel (2007), Victoria (2008), Kelowna (2009) and Williams Lake (2009-10).
During the last
several years,
the BC SPCA has
introduced the
most advanced
shelter medicine expertise
and biosecurity practices
within shelters to reduce
disease transmission.
Shelters utilize cat
isolation rooms and
post-upper respiratory
disease areas (PURDA),
to keep previously sick
animals separate from
healthy animals. A stable,
consistent diet improves
the health and welfare of
animals, which is why the
BC SPCA has partnered
with Hill’s® Science Diet®.
Hill’s® now donates food
for all cats and dogs cared
for in SPCA shelters.
“It is critical that
BC SPCA facilities
meet the physical and
emotional needs of
animals and become
centres of excellence
to support and
celebrate the humananimal bond.”
– Bob Busch, BC SPCA
general manager of
operations
Environmentally friendly shelters –
the future for animal facilities
– Craig Naherniak,
BC SPCA general manager of
humane education
RabbitSense: Happier hoppers
in improved housing
Rabbits are now the third most popular
companion animal, but a decade ago when
most animal shelters were built, few facilities
were designed to accommodate rabbits.
The BC SPCA’s RabbitSense program,
introduced in 2007, provides techniques to
meet the physical and psychological needs
of rabbits within existing SPCA shelters.
New SPCA facilities incorporate appropriate
enriched housing for rabbits.
BC SPCA shelters are also going “green.” Existing facilities
are being updated with a wide range of green technology and
new facilities will apply for LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) designations. B.C.’s first LEED-accredited
animal shelter – slated to open in late 2010 – is currently being
constructed by the BC SPCA in partnership with the District of
Maple Ridge.
BC SPCA Education and Adoption Centres
To provide the public with a friendlier, storefront environment to
adopt animals, the BC SPCA opened its first Education & Adoption
Centre in Nelson in 2006. The success of Nelson spawned similar
Education & Adoption Centres in Richmond (2008) and Port
Coquitlam (2009). In addition to featuring animals for adoption,
the popular centres host workshops and animal-themed birthday
parties for kids and educational sessions for adults to promote
humane pet guardianship.
10 Years of the
Drive for Lives
decade in review
Outreach to those in need
The BC SPCA regularly transfers animals from
crowded shelters to areas where they have
a greater chance of adoption. In 2004, the
society launched an animal transfer program,
purchasing two transport vehicles that
enabled shelters to bring homeless animals
from northern B.C., the Interior and other
areas to Lower Mainland shelters and satellite
adoption centres. A third vehicle was recently
added to the fleet. Pacific Coastal Airlines
also participates in the program, flying
animals from northern B.C. to the Lower
Mainland for free. Nearly 22,000 dogs, cats,
rabbits and other small animals have been
rehomed through the transfer program.
Saving Animal Lives
Did you know?
The BC SPCA has found loving homes for more than 226,000 animals during
the past 10 years! In addition, SPCA branches rescue and reunite thousands
of lost animals with their anxious guardians every year.
New spay/neuter clinics
Euthanasia Trend: 1974 – 2009
7
In 2004, more than half of the animals surrendered
to the SPCA and other rescue groups in Prince George
6
had to be euthanized because no homes could be found
for them. But on Oct. 29, 2005, the BC SPCA ushered
5
in a new era of hope for animals in the north with
the opening of the Prince George Spay Neuter Clinic,
followed by the Kamloops Spay Neuter Clinic four years 4
later, in April 2009. More than 10,000 affordable spay/
neuter operations are now performed annually through 3
donor-funded BC SPCA clinics in Prince George, Kamloops
and the BC SPCA Vancouver Animal Hospital, which
2
opened in 1976. Fighting pet overpopulation through
affordable spay/neuter programs has dramatically
1
reduced the number of abandoned and surrendered
animals who die needlessly in B.C.
0
Tackling pet overpopulation
BC SPCA shelters across the province became 100
per cent spay/neuter compliant for dogs and cats
on Jan. 1, 2009, and for rabbits on Jan. 1, 2010. This
was an incredible feat, considering the shortage of
10 Years of the
Euthanasia reasons 2009
Aggressive
or Feral
41%
Sick or
Injured
55%
Feral cat clinics
Other 4%
2008 BC SPCA euthanasia rate: 21%
2008 National euthanasia rate: 49%
1974
1984
1994
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Satellite adoption centres were located in
Petcetera stores prior to the pet-supply
chain filing for bankruptcy in 2009,
after which the society struck a new
partnership with Bosley’s Pet Food
Plus to host BC SPCA satellite adoption
facilities. SPCA adoption centres
opened inside Bosley’s stores in
Richmond and Coquitlam in September
2009, and expanded into 17
Bosley’s stores throughout
the Lower Mainland and
Vancouver Island in the six
months that followed. Satellite
facilities are also hosted by
independent pet-supply stores
and veterinary clinics throughout B.C.
More than 10,000 animals have been
adopted through these facilities.
2009
veterinary services in many regions. It couldn’t have
happened without the persistence and dedication of staff,
volunteers, donors and the veterinary community. The
annual amount spent on spay/neuter services has grown
steadily from $1.2 million in 2003 to more than $2 million
in 2009, and is expected to reach $2.1 million in 2010.
rich Legg/istock
Satellite adoption program
Named after a starving dog, Charlie’s Food Bank was launched
in 2000 to serve low-income pet guardians and those living
outdoors in Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhood, the Downtown
Eastside. The weekly food banks were expanded in late 2007 to
include a monthly veterinary clinic and outreach program at the
same site. To date, 500,000 pet guardians have visited the food
bank for pet food and supplies, and 3,000 have had their animals
spayed/neutered.
Furry friends found online
Browsing for Bowser became a breeze in 2005, with the
introduction of Shelter Buddy, the society’s electronic animal
management system. For the first time, members of the public
had access through the BC SPCA website to a real-time searchable
online database of adoptable animals in every SPCA shelter in
B.C. Prior to Shelter Buddy, shelters posted
adoptable animals sporadically to Petfinder,
Adopt-A-Pet and other independent
websites. The adoptable animals section
remains the most popular area of the BC
SPCA website, garnering 39,000 unique
page views per month. Visitors can search
by animal type, breed, size, sex and
location (spca.bc.ca/adopt).
Close to $20,000 has been invested in feral cat “spay
days” held in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 at the
BC SPCA Animal Hospital in Vancouver. Cooperative
efforts of volunteer veterinarians, technicians and
assistants from local veterinary practices and the SPCA
have resulted in 175 feral cats being trapped, spayed/
neutered, examined and treated for medical issues,
tattooed and returned to managed feral cat colonies.
The BC SPCA Animal Hospital also spays and
neuters feral cats throughout the year at no cost and
returns them to managed colonies. Outside the Lower
Mainland, the spay/neuter clinics in Prince George
and Kamloops provide ongoing reduced cost spaying/
neutering and wound treatment to feral cats. The
society’s Spay Packs to Vets program assists private
practitioners who deliver low- and no-cost “spay days”
across the province.
Behind the fire lines – saving lives
Forest fires ravaged B.C.
Interior communities
in 2003 and again in
2009. As a result, entire
neighbourhoods were
evacuated and many
people were forced
to leave their animals
behind. BC SPCA special
constables went behind
the fire lines to rescue
these animals and staff
and volunteers worked
around the clock to care
for the animals and
reunite them with their
anxious guardians. In
2003, more than 3,300
animals were either
sheltered or fostered
through the efforts of
the BC SPCA and Noah’s
Wish, a disaster relief
organization; in 2009,
nearly 1,000 domestic
pets and livestock
stranded behind fire
lines were rescued by
BC SPCA staff,
volunteers and
partnering rescue
organizations.
10 Years of the
A generous partner
decade in review
Transparency &
Accountability
The reorganization of the BC SPCA in 2002
led to a comprehensive restructuring of
financial systems to consolidate budgeting
and reporting for all of the society’s 37
branches and its provincial office. In 2003,
the BC SPCA produced the first set of
consolidated audited financial statements
in the society’s history, a significant step
in ensuring consistency, transparency and
accountability to our supporters.
Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause
Prior to 2003 a few individual SPCA branches held local
fundraising walks to raise money for animals in their care. In
2003, the BC SPCA organized the first provincial Paws for a Cause
walk, with 16 branches participating on the same day. Today
every single branch participates in what has become the society’s
signature fundraising event. Last year, animal lovers in 37
communities raised more than $1 million for animals in need! Visit
spca.bc.ca for details on the 2010 Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for
a Cause… Walk for the Animals.
“Here in Canada there is no excuse for abuse. In a
civilized country animals should not suffer.”
– Gisela Waibel,
proud supporter of the BC SPCA for more than 20 years
Dorothy E. Brown has been helping to protect
and care for animals for nearly a quarter of
a century. A South Surrey resident who has
been supporting the BC SPCA since 1986 and
as a Paw Plan monthly donor since 1999,
Brown says she’s always been an animal lover
and donating to the not-for-profit society is a
natural fit for her. “The BC SPCA does a very
difficult job and does it well,” says Brown.
She has given thousands of dollars toward the
society’s advocacy and mission work, cruelty
investigations, emergency veterinary care
and humane education. Two issues close to
her heart are animal cruelty and farm animal
welfare. “The latter isn’t something that most
people even think about, yet it impacts a
staggering number of animals,” says Brown.
She says she supports the BC SPCA because
“if someone isn’t out there speaking on behalf
of animals and rescuing the ones who need
rescuing, it wouldn’t happen, because they
can’t do it themselves.”
A new generation of animal ambassadors
Engaging
Communities
Whether you are a shelter volunteer, a community advocate, a corporate
sponsor or one of the 80,000 donors who generously contribute to the
BC SPCA each year, we could not exist without you!
Where your support goes
Support for the BC SPCA has grown
significantly during the past decade,
enabling the society to become a
North American leader in animal
welfare. In 2009, the BC SPCA
created new funding priorities to
enable donors to choose where
their support goes. The five funding
priorities include:
it responds to nearly 6,000
complaints of animal cruelty and
abuse each year.
1. Highest Priority Needs Fund – this
fund directs help to wherever it
is most urgently needed in the
province for injured, homeless,
neglected or abused animals.
3. Monty Fund for Community
Education & Outreach – named
in honour of a 13-year-old horse
who was rescued and now
spends his days at a therapeutic
riding facility for people with
disabilities, this fund helps the
SPCA provide cruelty prevention
and education programs
which create more humane
communities.
2. Heroes Fund for Animal
Protection – this fund supports
the work of our cruelty
investigations department as
4. October Grey Fund for Animal
Care – named after a brave little
cat who was nursed back to
health after being abandoned
10 Years of the
and severely injured, this fund
supports the incredible work
done by SPCA branches to
shelter, feed and care for the
37,000 animals we rescue each
year.
5. Biscuit Fund for Medical Care
– this fund supports veterinary
treatment for homeless and wild
animals in the BC SPCA’s care.
Named after a stray dog who
was rescued after being brutally
stabbed, the fund supports
emergency surgeries and
ongoing veterinary treatment for
animals in need.
To find out how your support makes
a difference, visit spca.bc.ca.
Over the past decade, the BC SPCA has developed one of North America’s most
comprehensive humane education programs for youth. “Individual branches have
always done a great job of offering education programs in their communities, but by
coordinating our efforts and taking a provincial approach to our materials we’ve been
able to reach thousands more kids each year,” says Craig Naherniak, general manager
of humane education. BC SPCA education programs created during the past 10 years
include the Kids Club, which has grown to more than 3,000 members since its launch
in 2004, Bark! magazine for kids, school presentations to thousands of children
each year, a school animal club program, over 50 weeks of animal-welfare-themed
summer day camps at shelters around the province, humane-education workshops for
teachers, five curriculum-linked school units and an action e-newsletter to engage
youth in advocacy efforts to help animals in their local communities.
“Our youth supporters are among the most creative, generous and
successful fundraisers we have – raising tens of thousands of dollars
each year. From asking for SPCA donations instead of birthday gifts
to organizing car washes or school events to raise money, they are
passionate about saving animals, which is so inspiring and encouraging
for the future.”
– Paula Neuman, humane education supervisor
15,000
The BC SPCA reached more than
10,000
40,000 youth
over the decade
5,000
Summer Camps expand
and birthday parties
launched
Classroom programs
developed
0
2001
2003
Education programs
expand around
the province
Kids Club launched
2004
2007
Youth educated annually by the BC SPCA
2009
Our volunteers
During the past decade,
the BC SPCA’s volunteer
core has grown to nearly
4,000 individuals who
provide hands-on care
for the animals, foster
injured and homeless
animals in their homes,
organize fundraising
events and advocacy
campaigns and offer
their time for hundreds
of other activities to help
the animals. “The BC
SPCA could not carry out
its mission without the
incredible dedication and
skill of our volunteers,”
says Brian Houlihan,
general manager of
volunteer resources.
“They are truly the heart
and soul of this society.”
To find out about
volunteer opportunities,
please visit spca.bc.ca.
10 Years of the
Thank you!
We at the BC SPCA thank you for your support. If the
tens of thousands of animals we care for each year
could speak, they would thank you, too. Our advances
in animal welfare and heart-warming stories featured
in this issue would not have been possible without your
generous support of our organization.
We are grateful to you, and the thousands of
individuals, families, businesses, foundations and
organizations who have made the BC SPCA their charity
of choice.
2009 Annual Report
Through its 37 branches located around B.C. and
its provincial office in Vancouver, the BC SPCA
provides a wide range of services and programs to
help nearly 37,000 animals in distress and need
each year.
In 2009, the BC SPCA:
• Operated 31 animal shelters, two education &
adoption centres, one store-front adoption facility,
three volunteer-run branches without facilities and
Wild ARC, a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Metchosin
on Vancouver Island;
• Opened the Kamloops Spay/Neuter Clinic in April
2009 to help pet guardians access affordable spay/
neuter services for their pets;
• Rescued 36,059 injured, homeless, neglected and
abused animals (companion, farm and wild);
• Reunited 5,374 lost animals (including 4,139 dogs,
1,080 cats and 40 rabbits) with their anxious
families;
• Transported 5,571 animals between shelters to
maximize adoption and adopted 833 animals through
our satellite adoption centres;
• Found new, loving families for 20,236 homeless
animals (5,679 dogs, 12,148 cats, 497 rabbits, 1,912
small animals & other);
• Helped 1,855 injured and orphaned wild animals
(1,367 birds, 468 mammals and two reptiles) at Wild
ARC. An additional 403 wild animals (402 birds, one
reptile) were also received in BC SPCA shelters;
• Conducted 5,870 new cruelty investigations;
• Removed 1,332 animals from dangerous or
neglectful situations through cruelty investigations
and rescued an additional 3,443 injured animals;
• Executed 133 warrants under the Criminal Code of
Canada, the PCA Act and the Offence Act;
• Submitted 62 charges of animal cruelty and neglect
to Crown counsel;
• Offered humane-education programs to thousands of
children, youth and adults in B.C.;
• Provided more than $2 million for a wide range of
programs to reduce pet overpopulation, including
free and low-cost spay/neuter services;
• Received 1,686,268 visits to our redesigned website;
• Helped thousands of injured, homeless animals
through the BC SPCA Vancouver Animal Hospital.
10 Years of the
Revenue
development
11%
Other
7%
Administration
8%
Donations &
fundraising
41%
Bylaw
enforcement
12%
Sheltering & Legacy & Life
Insurance
medical
services 21% 19%
2009 Revenues
Services & programs for
animals 81%
2009 Expenditures
BC SPCA Financial Statements
2009 Unaudited Financial Statements*
2009 Revenues
2009
$ 2008
$
Donations and fundraising
Legacy and life insurance
Kennelling & bylaw enforcement services
Sheltering, medical and clinical services
Lotteries and raffles
Provincial government grants received
Other grants received
Investment income and capital gains
10,282,461
4,677,001
2,887,749
5,332,624
294,287
250,000
508,962
814,853
9,413,251
5,388,562
3,068,891
5,183,697
290,883
325,000
512,485
(165,016)
Total
25,047,937
24,017,753
2008 expenditures
2009
$ 2008
$
Sheltering, kennelling and bylaw enforcement
Veterinary care and spay/neuter
Cruelty investigations
Humane education
Advocacy and volunteer development
Hospital and clinics
Animal health and welfare
Administration and program support
Revenue development
Amortization
Other
Total
10,454,149
2,543,490
2,281,506
488,083
458,367
2,320,424
424,672
2,108,861
2,682,090
719,335
283,404
24,764,381
10,134,637
2,435,734
2,019,430
502,962
552,864
2,125,183
436,904
2,022,408
2,704,360
661,636 269,617 23,865,735
Surplus/Deficit
2009
2008
$283,556
$152,018
* A copy of the full 2009 audited financial statements will be distributed at the
Society’s AGM on May 29, 2010.
Bandito eluded authorities for
months, but he couldn’t escape the
tattoo in his ear.
A senior Siamese cat with a heart
murmur, Bandito’s wily ways caught
the attention of a Good Samaritan,
who scooped him up and brought
him to the North Cariboo Branch of
the BC SPCA.
Branch manager Ann Gough says
staff traced his guardians through
the tattoo in Bandito’s ear, and were
shocked to learn the crafty cat had
been on the lam for eight months.
“We were astounded,” says Gough.
“It’s rare that we’re able to reunite
animals after such a long time.”
Bandito’s guardians were called
and they drove over immediately.
So thrilled were they to have their
beloved pet returned, they made a
significant donation to the Prince
George shelter. “They were both
very emotional and started to
cry when they saw Bandito,” says
Gough. “It was a very good day at
the shelter.”
Last year, the BC SPCA reunited
5,374 animals with their guardians.
But thousands of others were never
claimed, and were adopted into
new homes. The best way to ensure
the return of a pet, should the
unthinkable happen says Gough, is
through a tattoo, a microchip and ID
collar. “There’s just no better way,
especially with the tattoo,” says
Gough. “An ID collar can fall off, but
a tattoo is always there.”
Soon, the BC SPCA website
(spca.bc.ca) will offer a searchable
database of lost and found pets.
A person who finds an animal will
be able to post the pet’s details to
the site, while those whose pets are
missing will be able to search the
postings of individual finders as
well as the pets who end up at SPCA
shelters.
To keep the site current, postings
of lost pets will be removed after
a certain amount of time, but the
posting party can repost if their pet
remains lost. “It adds such increased
functionality to the SPCA website,”
says Rebecca Edwards, manager of
information technology for the
BC SPCA. “A good portion of calls
Lost and
found
to our shelters are about lost and found pets, so this will alleviate some of
that traffic and provide a better and more efficient way of reuniting lost
and found pets with their rightful guardians.”
As an added bonus, guardians who have lost their pets will have a
colour poster automatically created for them based on the information and
photo they provide to the website. The poster even includes their contact
information in a tearaway format so anyone who sees their pet can reach
them later.
The BC SPCA offers these tips to help reunite guardians with lost pets:
• Have your pet wear identification in the form of a tattoo, a microchip or
ID collar;
• P ut up posters in as many public places you can think of. Be sure the
posters include a quality photo of your pet, his name, description, date
and location he went missing and a 24-hour contact number;
• Walk or drive through your neighbourhood several times a day,
especially early in the morning and at dusk;
• A
sk neighbours, letter carriers, joggers, garbage collectors, newspaper
carriers and others to look out for your pet. Cats tend not to wander
very far, so these people may have seen your lost feline and not known
he was lost;
• Place a recently worn piece of clothing outside to attract your pet. If you
have an indoor cat, place his litter box outside;
• Visit local animal shelters;
• C heck animal hospitals and veterinary clinics;
• C onsider offering a reward for your pet’s return, but beware of callers
who demand you send them money first;
• V
isit websites dedicated to helping lost and found animals return home.
These include petfinder.org and petlynx.net;
• Finally, don’t give up. Pets have returned home sometimes months after
they disappeared. n
Spring/Summer 2010 • Animal Sense
25
Tails
Happy Endings
Herman enjoying dinner
while in SPCA care.
Spunky senior survives attack
Herman, a gentle geriatric cat who was brutally assaulted on a busy
sidewalk in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, is now safe and happy, thanks
to fast-acting citizens and caring SPCA supporters.
Witnesses near the busy intersection of Carrall and Hastings streets
quickly alerted police after seeing Herman’s owner strangling and
beating the defenseless cat. “According to witnesses, the owner tried to
choke Herman, then shoved him into a black bag and began hitting the
bag against a building wall,” said Ryan Voutilainen, manager of the BC
SPCA Vancouver Branch. Police intervened, arrested Herman’s owner and
transported the traumatized cat for medical treatment. At the BC SPCA
Animal Hospital in Vancouver, staff members were surprised to discover
that Herman had not sustained any significant injuries during the attack.
“He was quite thin, though, and had a number of chronic medical
issues that required immediate attention,” said Voutilainen.
Thanks to the generosity of SPCA supporters, who covered all
of Herman’s medical costs, he received treatment for a number
of age-related problems, including chronic kidney disease and
dental decay. “He also had some spinal damage that appeared to
have been caused by an earlier trauma,” said Voutilainen. The
affectionate, white-haired cat charmed hospital and shelter staff
with his calm demeanour and friendly personality. Despite his age
and medical issues, the SPCA was able to place Herman in a loving
“forever” home. He now spends his days basking in the care of his
new guardian, far from the dangers he previously faced. Herman’s
former owner was charged with animal cruelty.
26
Animal Sense • Spring/Summer 2010
Lots of llamas
to love
It was “llama-rama” at the
BC SPCA’s Surrey Branch recently
when the SPCA rescued 10 of the
lovable camelids after they were
abandoned by their owner. Nine of
the llamas were discovered on an
abandoned property while a 10th
was found running along a busy
intersection in the area. Mork,
Mindy, Mary-Kate, Ashley, Queen
Ann, George, Stella, Ruby, Cocoa
and Mocha all made themselves at
home in the barn behind the Surrey
shelter, enjoying the attention of
staff and volunteers. “They are
very gentle, curious creatures,
who are often used to guard fields
and livestock because their cries
of alarm scare off predators,”
explains Valerie Sigler, manager
of the Surrey Branch. “They are
watchdogs, lawnmowers, providers
of wool and best friends, all rolled
into one!” Mork, the patriarch of
the group, has a unique quality. His
ear tag showed that he is originally
from Peru and was one of an
original group of llamas imported
to Canada nearly 20 years ago
before they were bred domestically.
With the help of volunteers from
Fat Chance Ranch llama rescue, the
llamas were groomed and haltertrained and were all placed into
permanent homes.
To help provide life-saving
medical care for animals across B.C.,
please visit spca.bc.ca or call your
local SPCA branch for details.
Valerie Sigler, manager of the
Surrey Branch, with her charges.
Emaciated dogs find new ‘leash’ on life
When Princess, a young Belgian
malinois stray, was brought to the
BC SPCA Hospital in Vancouver on
Feb. 7, staff feared she wouldn’t
make it through the night. At just
15 kilograms (a healthy malinois
weighs approximately 27 kilograms),
she was so weak she could barely
stand. “We had received reports of
her running at large in Burnaby
for at least a month and had been
trying to catch her, but she was
extremely fearful and always
managed to evade our officers,”
says Eileen Drever, senior animal
protection officer for the BC SPCA.
“When we were finally able to catch
her she was so sick it was touch and
go as to whether she was going to
live.” Drever says SPCA hospital staff
provided amazing care and stayed
with her 24 hours a day as she
fought to survive. With the help of
caring BC SPCA supporters, Princess
received ongoing medical care and
was placed in a loving foster home
with a family knowledgeable about
malinois, a shepherd-type breed
often used in police work. Eating
several small meals a day while her
system adjusted, Princess quickly
gained weight and was soon racing
around, playing with toys and
bonding with her foster family.
“When you see the photos taken
a few weeks after she arrived you
can’t believe it’s the same dog,” says
Drever. “She was days away from
death but now she is an affectionate,
happy dog with a wonderful life
ahead of her.”
While Drever says she was shocked
by how emaciated Princess was when
she arrived at the BC SPCA, nothing
prepared her for the sight of a golden
retriever named Trooper, who was
dropped off at the Maple Ridge SPCA
shelter a few weeks later. “I thought
I had seen everything in my 30 years
with the SPCA, but I was wrong,”
says Drever. “I had never seen a dog
as emaciated as Trooper.” Weighing
only 11 kilograms (less than his
bag of dog food), every rib in the
retriever’s body was protruding out
Top: (L) A fully recovered Princess
from his skin. “When he came in,
enjoys playtime with her foster family.
Trooper barely scored one on a body
(R) A healthy Trooper attends the
conditioning scale of one to nine,”
groundbreaking ceremony for the new
says Mark Vosper, manager of the
Maple Ridge SPCA Branch. “He had
Maple Ridge Community Animal Centre
sores on his body, indicating that he on April 6. Above: Emaciated Trooper
had been confined and his coat was
and Princess were both near death when
so caked in feces and urine that the they arrived at the SPCA.
stench was unbearable.” Through a
door-to-door search of the neighbourhood, BC SPCA constables identified
the owner of the dog.
Charges of animal cruelty have now been approved. Thanks to daily
veterinary treatment and the loving care he received, Trooper gained nearly
14 kilograms, more than doubling his body weight. Fully recovered, he has
been adopted into a loving home. n
Spring/Summer 2010 • Animal Sense
27
Helping our feathered friends
The experts at Wild ARC give tips on how to prevent wild bird injuries
“We get more than 10 injured
animals a day – mostly birds
– during spring and summer,”
says Christina Carrieres, senior
wildlife rehabilitator at the BC
SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation
Centre (Wild ARC) in Metchosin,
southwest of Victoria. It’s a similar
story that plays out across B.C. as
wildlife rehabilitators cope with
the onslaught of human-animal
conflicts gone wrong.
Most of the birds Wild ARC
receives are the victims of window
or car strikes, cat attacks or are
orphaned baby birds. “The true orphans we get are
often nestlings who have fallen from a nest or
whose parents have been killed by cats,” says
Carrieres.
“People need to be aware that the majority
of those sweet, lovable pet cats turn into
highly efficient predators outdoors,” says
Sara Dubois, BC SPCA wildlife services
manager, and guardian of two indoor
cats. “We see the damage people and
their pets do to wildlife on a scale
most people couldn’t conceive.”
Cat guardians may also
not be aware that even
if they rescue a bird
caught by their cat that
appears uninjured, the bird
28
Animal Sense • Spring/Summer 2010
will likely still die after
release. “If there
is even the tiniest
scratch or puncture
in the bird’s skin, the
infection from cat saliva
will cause the bird to
suffer and die,” says
Dubois. While Dubois
acknowledges that habitat
destruction and pesticide
use are significant causes
of worldwide songbird
declines, she points to
various research studies
estimating that millions
of birds die each year
across North American
from cat attacks alone.
“Cat attacks and
window strikes are
largely preventable,” says
Dubois. Her advice to cat
guardians is to keep cats
indoors, particularly in
spring and early summer.
“If you can’t keep your
cat inside, building an
enclosure for your cat
will keep both your cat
and wildlife safe,” she
says. It is also a myth
that a bell on the cat’s
collar is a deterrent to
Sparrow fledgling.
Wildlife in Focus Winners
In 2009, the BC SPCA’s Wild ARC facility sponsored
its first annual “Wildlife in Focus” photography contest
to highlight our appreciation of wildlife. Hundreds of
photographers from southern Vancouver Island submitted
amazing photos. Here are our winning photos:
BAckyArd
HABitAtS
CATegoRy:
First place
(Steller’s jay):
Robin Basset
Robin basset
Additional
winning photos
and honourable
mentions, as
well as the 2010
Wild ARC wildlife
photography contest details will be available online at
spca.bc.ca/
wildlife-in-focus
WiLd
SEttingS
CATegoRy:
First place
(Song sparrow):
Brad Edwards
bRad edwaRds
Orphaned fledgling robins
recovering at Wild ARC.
bird predation, however, cat bibs have been shown to
be effective. “The product looks a little goofy but the
motion of the flap alerts birds and distracts the cat so
the potential prey has time to escape and it still allows
cats to perform normal activities,” says Dubois.
To prevent birds from striking windows you need to
make windows visible to birds. “Window clings, decals
and hanging feathers, branches or CDs all help deter
bird strikes,” suggests Dubois. “Also, people should
locate bird feeders either a long way from windows or
right against them.” This can reduce the frequency of
impacts or at least the speed with which they hit.
Wild ARC also receives hundreds of fledgling birds
each year from well-meaning people mistakenly
believing the birds are hurt or orphaned. “It is
encouraging to see how much people care about wild
animals and their welfare,” says Carrieres. “Recognizing
when to intervene and when to leave the animals alone
will reduce the demand on our limited rehab resources
and ease the stress of bird parents, who see their
offspring unnecessarily scooped up and removed from
their family group.”
A nestling on the ground needs help. Nestlings are
featherless, downy or incompletely feathered birds. “If
you find one, look up and see if you can locate the nest,”
says Dubois. It may be in a nearby tree, shrub or on the
outside of a building. These birds can usually be put
back in their nests. “The mother will not detect your
scent on the young, and after you leave, will quickly
forget the intrusion,” she says. If you cannot find the
nest or if the bird appears injured, contact your local
wildlife rehabilitation centre immediately for guidance.
Winners of the
youth category
are published in
the spring edition
of Bark! magazine and online.
Cedar waxwing nestlings and parents.
Fledglings are older, nearly fully feathered
birds learning to fly. They spend time out of the
nest in the cover of shrubs or tree branches.
They are often clumsy and may appear to be hurt
but are just developing their flying skills. “Leave
them alone unless they are in immediate danger
from a cat or dog, or close to a busy street,” says
Dubois. “You can be assured the parents are close
by watching and feeding the young birds regularly.
In fact, the sooner you leave the area, the better.”
Last year, Wild ARC treated more than 2,100
animals with more than 80 per cent of admissions
coming in as a result of an encounter with people or
their pets. “If I could leave people with one message
– think about ways you can minimize your impact on
wildlife to reduce the unnecessary suffering of wild
animals.” n
Spring/Summer 2010 • Animal Sense
29
dogsense
by Dr. Stanley Coren
David Selby/istock
Do dogs laugh?
lionel trudel
Animal behaviour researchers
used to believe that laughter was
an emotional expression found only
in humans. However, Nobel Prizewinning ethologist Konrad Lorenz
suggested that dogs are capable of
laughing, and they do when they are
playing. Canine laughter involves
slightly opened jaws that reveal the
tongue over the front teeth, and the
sound is much like panting.
Patricia Simonet at Sierra
Nevada College recorded those
panting-laughter sounds while
dogs played. When the recordings
were analyzed, she found that
they involved a broader range
of frequencies than regular dog
panting. In one experiment, she
noticed that puppies romped for
photo: terry guscott/atn visuals
the experts
joy when they heard recordings of
these sounds and in another she
was able to show that these same
sounds helped to calm dogs in an
animal shelter.
Humans can imitate these
sounds, but it takes some “tuning.”
My first attempts were not very
successful, causing virtually no
response or at best puzzled looks
from my dogs. However, I was
eventually able to shape a set of
sounds that reliably evoked their
interest. It required conscious
monitoring to get the sound pattern
right. For me, what seems to work
the best is something like “hhuhhhah-hhuh-hhah…” with the “hhuh”
sound made with slightly rounded
lips, while the “hhah” sound is
made with a sort of open-mouthed
smiling expression. The sound has
to be breathy with no actual voicing,
meaning that if you touch your
throat while making this sound you
should not feel any vibration. When
I make these sounds, my dogs sit
up, wag their tails and approach me
from across the room.
After those informal experiments,
I extended my observations and
have been able to use my human
imitation of dog laughter sounds
to calm worried, anxious and shy
dogs in a dog obedience class and
in other settings. It seems to help if
you glance at the dog directly only
for brief intervals alternating with
glancing away. Also short, quick
side-to-side movements appear
to help. It seems to work best in
calming dogs who are moderately
anxious or insecure. If the negative
emotions experienced by the dog
are too intense, however, it does not
seem to help. n
Dr. Stanley Coren is a professor of psychology
at the University of British Columbia and
author of many books, including How Dogs
Think, Why Does My Dog Act That Way?
and The Intelligence of Dogs.
appliedknowledge
catsense
by Nadine Gourkow
by Dr. David Fraser
A decade of new voices for
animal welfare
How to
speak cat
Have you ever
noticed that
whenever a group
of people is visiting your home, your
cat invariably ends up approaching
the one person who doesn’t
particularly like cats? There are
evidence-based reasons why this
happens and it has everything to do
with non-verbal signalling read by
your cat.
Contrary to popular belief, cats
are great communicators. They
can pick up messages from our
eyes, brows and head position
and likewise have much to say
with theirs. When a cat wants to
intimidate another cat or a human,
for example, her eyes are wide
open and she will give a direct and
sustained stare. Her ears will be
straight up and forward.
Unfortunately, humans usually
exhibit the same expression when
greeting a cat. If you watch your
expression in the mirror while
saying “hello, kitty kitty,” you will
notice your eyes are wide, eyebrows
are up and usually you will be
giving a direct stare.
Scientists have confirmed
the long-held belief that cats
are often drawn to people
who don’t seem to care for
them. This is because these
people do not greet cats (in
our usual human way) and
cats feel less intimidated. If
you want to have a positive
relationship with an unfamiliar
cat, a better greeting is to keep
your head slightly to the side,
eyes semi-closed together
and call out with a gentle,
high-pitched “hi, kitty kitty.”
These calming signals are
particularly important if you
are attempting to approach an
anxious cat.
You can recognize when a
cat is anxious by her defensive
flattened posture. Her ears are
flattened to the side, neck tucked in,
pupils partially dilated and whiskers
flattened against the cheeks.
If you approach an anxious cat
without communicating calming
signals, she may become fearful.
Her ears will move to the back of
the head, her whiskers will pan
out and forward – all indicators
she is ready to defend herself.
You can calm an anxious cat with
your eyes. Look toward the cat a
few seconds at a time. Keep your
eyes semi-closed, head slightly
to the side and offer several slow
blinks. Cats use slow blinking to
communicate a message of peace. It
is also very effective for human-cat
communication.
Try the subtleties of “speaking
cat” the next time you meet a new
feline and see if the cat is drawn to
you – a person who actually likes
cats. n
Nadine Gourkow is manager of animal welfare
for the BC SPCA with expertise in both cat and
dog behaviour.
Humans can ease anxiety in cats by
mimicking this peaceful pose.
Applied animal welfare science
has grown considerably since the
launch and growth of the UBC
Animal Welfare Program this
past decade. The impact can be
measured by the impressive list of
graduates advancing animal welfare
in B.C. and beyond.
• Nadine Gourkow (MSc 2001) did
her thesis on the welfare of cats
in the Vancouver SPCA shelter,
and was hired immediately by the
BC SPCA. Her research led to the
innovative “Hide, Perch & Go Box”
that reduces stress in thousands
of cats awaiting adoption.
• Sara Dubois (MSc 2003) did her
research on wildlife rehabilitation
and then became the
spectacularly successful manager
of Wild ARC, the BC SPCA’s
wildlife rehabilitation facility. She
is now the BC SPCA’s provincial
manager of wildlife services.
• Lorna Baird (MSc 2004) is
executive director of Alberta
Farm Animal Care – an association
of concerned farmers which
works with the Alberta SPCA in a
cutting-edge program of humane
education and enforcement.
• Geoff Urton (MSc 2005) joined
the BC SPCA farm animal welfare
department and is the humane
movement’s much-respected
national representative on farm
animal welfare issues, promoting
humane farming and transport
standards.
• Mitja Sedlbauer (MSc 2005)
returned to Slovenia as senior
advisor on animal welfare
to the country’s Veterinary
Administration. He also chaired
the influential Working Group on
Animal Welfare of the European
Union.
• Nicole Fenwick (MSc 2005)
is now the “Three Rs Program
Coordinator” for the Canadian
Council on Animal Care,
promoting Replacement,
Reduction and Refinement for
animals used in science.
• Frances Flower (PhD 2006)
joined the organic grocery chain
Whole Foods Market in Austin,
Texas. She is helping launch a new
animal welfare standards program
for farmers and ranchers.
• Leanne McConnachie (MSc 2007)
works in the Vancouver Humane
Society where, with her strong
business background, she has
persuaded many companies and
institutions to buy humanely
raised animal products.
• Meghann Cant (MSc 2010), who
recently completed thesis work
on the success rate of black
bear rehabilitation, is now with
the BC SPCA creating education
programming.
And… and…. only a strict word
limit makes me stop.
Ten years ago, the BC SPCA
helped establish and fund the
UBC Animal Welfare Program.
That investment has paid off
tremendously as this new
generation of bright, highly
trained young people takes animal
protection to a whole new level of
achievement. n
Dr. David Fraser is professor in the Animal
Welfare Program at UBC. The program,
initiated in 1997 with the help of the BC SPCA,
uses research, education and public outreach
to improve the lives of farm, companion,
laboratory and wild animals.
2010 Annual
BCSPCA