Pawprint Issue #65 - June 2014

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THE PAWPRINT
Issue 65
Shuswap Branch
June 2014
Shuswap Branch Welcomes New Manager
March 17 was an auspicious St. Patrick's day this year, as the Shuswap Branch of the BCSPCA
welcomed its new manager, Shelly Hand, to her first day on the job!
Shelly arrived here from Alberta last year, with her husband Randy and 5 dogs (2 Aussies, a Papillion,
Sheltie, and German Shepherd Dog). Shelly has 20 years experience in dog agility and obedience and
her husband spent 10 years as an agility judge. In Alberta, she not only worked at a vet clinic, a dog
training facility and a pet store (Shelly points out, that the pet store did not sell animals), but she also
worked with people with addictions, some of whom were also homeless. She is a compassionate
woman, who finds working with both animals and people a rewarding occupation.
Not quite two months at the job and Shelly has spent many hours training at the BCSPCA Provincial
Office in Vancouver, as well as attending meetings with the local animal centre staff and Community
Council and been present at a few fundraising events too...with more of all, yet to come!
In her few available leisure hours, Shelly can be found practicing with her dogs at a local informal agility
group or kayaking.
On behalf of the Community Council, I welcome her to the Branch and in the next issue, I hope to delve
into some of Shelly's ideas and future plans.
Written by Muriel Schubert
BC SPCA - Shuswap Branch
5850 Auto Rd. SE
Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2X2
Phone: (250) 832-7376
Fax:
(250) 832-7307
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Tues. - Fri. Noon - 4 pm
Visiting / Adoption Hours:
Tues. - Sat. Noon - 4 pm
At our branch AGM: Romany Runnalls, Regional Director,
Kathy Woodward, Senior Cruelty Investigations Officer for
our region, Shelly Hand, our Branch Manager and Tracy
Westmoreland, Regional Manager.
Emergency Phone (injured cats/
dogs):
(250) 803-1195
www.spca.bc.ca/branches/
shuswap
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ISSUE 65
Spreading the word through Humane Education
Our Humane Education volunteers, Julie Bose, Bramble the spaniel, Evelyn Greenius, Ginger
the golden retriever and Janet Pattinson have been very busy since February with invitations from
8 schools in School District 83 to tell the children in 61 classes about caring for the animals. This
year Evelyn is participating in the Shuswap Middle School’s wellness week. In June we will also be
participating in the Pathfinders event for children at the fairgrounds. It is always fun to meet the
school children and their teachers.
...Janet Pattinson
Advocating for the Animals
The new Strategic Plan calls for an
increased role for advocacy and Shuswap
Branch is ready for the challenge. In
February we focused on the issue of
Spay and Neuter in order to bring an end
to pet overpopulation. March was the
month to draw attention to animal safety
when we had the cooperation of
Jacobson Ford, Hilltop Toyota, Braby
Motors, Salmon Arm GM and Shuswap
Vet Clinic in informing the public about
the safe way to transport dogs in pick up
trucks.
A new opportunity to inform the public is
our Pet Report on CKVS Voice of the
Shuswap Community Radio (93.7 fm).
You can hear our news on the
Community Hour at 6 PM on Friday and
at noon on Monday.
... Janet Pattinson
A huge star to Josh Bickle of Integrity
Roofing who not only repaired the shelter
roof so we can all stay nice and dry, but who
has also become a gold sponsor for this
year’s Paws Walk. A heartfelt thank-you!!
Our display of a crate, harnessed and tethered
“dog” and information board at Salmon Arm GM
as part of the Dogs in Pick Up Trucks campaign.
Finding good homes for our animals
There was a time when visitors to the shelter
would enter the areas where the animals were
housed to see them all. People got
accustomed to that. But staff came to the
conclusion over time and with experience that
having strangers walking through caused stress
to the animals. So these days when people
come to the shelter, they are asked to
demonstrate a serious consideration of
adopting an animal by filling in an adoption
form. Those forms ask a wide range of
questions which help the staff to understand the
lifestyle of the family and to advise on a suitable
animal for that particular family. Then staff
bring out an animal to meet the people and get
acquainted separately from all the other
animals. As people learn the reasons for
keeping the kennel areas quiet and secure they
also understand that the policy is all about
what’s best for the animals.
... Janet Pattinson
ISSUE 65
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From the Chair
The Annual General Meeting of the Shuswap Branch was held on March 30th this year with 20 members
and 9 guests in attendance. We were very pleased to welcome Romany Runnalls, Regional Director,
Tracy Westmoreland, Regional Manager, and Kathy Woodward, Senior Animal Protection officer who
were able to give us updates on activities throughout our area and at provincial office. We were also very
pleased to welcome Shelly Hand as our new Branch Manager.
Your new community council was acclaimed at the meeting and the members this year are: Tina Cosman,
Evelyn Greenius, Celia Harris (vice-chair), Judith Hutchins (chair), Constance Ladell, Candace Mitzel
(secretary), Janet Pattinson and Muriel Schubert.
Tracy Westmoreland gave a presentation to the meeting on the new Strategic Plan. Implementation of
the BC SPCA 5 year Strategic Plan covering the period from 2009 – 2013 has shown concrete progress in
each of the areas identified for action. In its final year, the Society embarked on an extensive
consultation process by way of public surveys, interviews and feedback sessions to solicit input into its
future direction. The new Strategic Plan seeks to respond to this input by focusing its energies and
resources on the development and expansion of programs that seek to eliminate the root causes of animal
cruelty and neglect, which in turn will move us towards the creation of humane communities throughout
British Columbia.
A humane community is one where all animals are accorded the Five Freedoms. The BC SPCA is committed
to inspiring society to create these communities by enhancing and expanding its preventative initiatives in
areas such as education, sterilization and advocacy. As well, it is committed to empowering staff,
volunteers and supporters to look outside their local shelter and into the community to help find the longterm solutions to animal welfare that will lead to the creation of humane communities. Over the next 5
years the Society will work to achieve this goal by focusing on the following priorities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Creating humane communities through a cultural shift to proactive, preventative animal welfare.
Delivering excellence in animal welfare programs
Building a mission-focused team of staff and volunteers.
Enhancing financial and organizational strength
Strengthening governance.
As a community council we were very pleased to learn about these goals and look forward to helping to
achieve many of them in our area. If you are interested in reading more about the new Strategic Plan you
can find it on http://www.spca.bc.ca/news-and-events/news/news-strategic-plan-2.html#.U1_cZPldVqU
or call me at 250 832 6964.
Volunteers play a huge role in helping the Society move towards achieving its goals and our branch is
always ready to accept new volunteers. The Society has been setting up a new computerized system of
volunteer application and management. Unfortunately our shelter has been somewhat delayed in our
adoption of this system with the result that some applications have not been followed through. We
apologize to anyone who has left an application form with us and failed to receive a response. Please try
again. We are best able to process applications online but can also accept forms at the shelter. The
information can be found online at www.spca.bc.ca/branches/shuswap/ and click on the volunteer tab.
Judith Hutchins
Community Council Chair
ISSUE 65
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Shuswap Branch Shelter Report
Integrity Roofing so generously donated their time and materials to repair our roof last month so,
despite the rain that we have had, no leaks!!.
Since the grooming has left our shelter, I have been working on fixing up that room so that we make
it our main office. We are hoping to allow the surrender animals to be entered in and helped on the
old side. As this is a very difficult time for most people, it can very uncomfortable for them to do so
amongst the happy people who are adopting an animal. We are going to be selling a small amount
of food and retail supplies – basically the initial things that people need to start with for their animal.
We were very fortunate to be getting a new reception desk which has been donated to us by Sultry
Spas!!
Our transfer program is working wonderfully and sickness in the shelter so far has been minimal.
Our wish list includes more volunteers to help with events as well as updates to the shelter such as
painting etc. Also supplies for these updates would be much appreciated. Please don’t hesitate to
call me if you have any questions.
Shelly Hand, Branch Manager
In Loving Memory:
Freddie came into our lives in the spring of 2008 when the
Shuswap Branch needed a foster home for a “senior” mixed
breed dog called Alfredo. In a few short weeks he had found a
place in our home as well as our hearts and we adopted him on
May 28th. From that time until May 13, 2014 Freddie enjoyed
his golden years, making friends at my workplace as well as in
our neighbourhood. He was popular in Sunnybrae properties
with canine pals as well as the many devoted dog walkers we’d
meet on our outings.
Farewell Freddie—much loved and sadly missed. You will always
have a place in my heart.
...Hilary Graham
In the past six months the Shuswap
Branch of the BC SPCA received
donations in memory of the following:
George Pilfold
Dana Dellamattica
Tony Martinuk
Elke Lewis
Shirley Knuff
“Buddy”
Susan Exner
“Maia”
“Freddie”
Contributions to the Pawprint: please send your articles to
Hilary Graham at [email protected], or drop off a printed
copy at the Shuswap Shelter. We’d love to hear from you!
ISSUE 65
Many thanks to our 2014 Paws for a
Cause Sponsors and Friends of the
Animals:
EZ Rock 91.5 fm
Integrity Roofing
Salmon Arm Observer
Tina Cosman RE/MAX Shuswap
Jacobson Ford
Askew’s Foods
Hilltop Toyota
Home Building Centre
Munro’s Sorrento Prescriptions
Old Dog New Tricks
Shuswap Lake Estates Golf & Country Club
Touch ‘A Texas
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Plans are underway for this year’s Paws for a
Cause... which will be on September 6th when
we’ll walk in the Salmon Arm Fall Fair Parade.
As we have for many years, we’ll meet for
registration at Blackburn Park. We are
fortunate to have new sponsors this year in
addition to the many who have supported us in
the past.
Over several years we have been hosted by the
Downtown SASCU in August when we promoted
the Walk and collected donations. This year we
are planning to be at the Sicamous SASCU on
July 18th, the Uptown SASCU on August
16th, the Downtown SASCU on August 22nd
and possibly outside the Sorrento SASCU on
one of the market days.
Please plan to participate in our event or make a
pledge to someone who will be walking.
...Janet Pattinson
Shuswap Community Foundation Distribution of Funds
It's a windfall year, with the Shuswap Community Foundation (SCF) distributing their Donor Directed Grants at
5% interest, for an expected total of $61,763 to our local BCSPCA Branch.
Over $1,200,000 have accrued in three SCF endowment funds, whose annual interest benefits our local
branch.... and it is through the initial generosity of four individuals that we have those funds: Al Neale who set
up the Shuswap Branch BCSPCA Endowment Fund, Karen Nayki and Tom Greer with their Nayki/Greer Family
Fund, and Elisabeth Thomi through her Will. Others have also donated directly to these funds, or have
requested "in memory of" contributions or even left a legacy as did Elisabeth Thomi.
What is often not considered, is that the more these funds accrue and therefore the more interest we receive,
the LESS money we need to raise through events such as silent auctions, book sales and the annual Paws for a
Cause walk ....with the limited volunteer resources of the community. These funds are there FOREVER, in safe
keeping, for the future of this animal facility, and therefore to assist animals in need, FOREVER.
If you would like to continue the development of these funds and for further information on the various ways in
which you can donate (including investments) contact SCF at 250-832-5428 or email [email protected]
Cheques can be sent directly to SCF Box 624, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 4N7 and should be made out to the
Shuswap Community Foundation, but should state on the memo line for which endowment fund the money is
designated. Thank you
Written by Muriel Schubert
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ISSUE 65
The recent Branch AGM brought two new and one relatively new member to the 2014
Community Council.
Realtor Tina Cosman moved to the area from Ontario in 2005 and since last year has been
a CC member who is willing to assist where ever there is a need and she is looking forward
to being even more involved with the branch events this coming year. She and her husband
Shawn have 3 children (aged 6-26) and a 1 year old grand-daughter, as well as a rescue
kitten and young Golden Retriever. The CC thanks Tina for staying on for another term.
This year new member, Candace Mitzel, has taken on the responsibility of CC Secretary
(not a very popular position, but one most of us have done at one time or another!). Candace
and husband Marv arrived in our area, from Calgary about 1 1/2 years ago, with 12 year old
cat Charlie also in tow. Candace is not only volunteering with us, but also with Second
Harvest and at Larch Hills and keeps physically active by golfing, hiking and Nordic skiing.
She is a long time supporter of animal welfare.
Another long time supporter of animal welfare is Constance Ladell, who only moved to
Mara Lake in February (though her family built a house on Swansea Point in the late 70's).
Retired from her position of General Counsel and Director of Legal Services at the BC
Lottery Commission, Constance still works part time as a lawyer consulting in internet
commerce, public procurement, corporate governance and gambling law. Two of her 5 cats
are rescues from the Kamloops Branch when she was on its CC (6 years). While in
Kamloops, she also served on the Boards of the YM/YWCA, Kamloops Symphony and the
Inter-Provincial Lottery Corp, often participating on those organizations' governance
committees. Yoga, meditation, and reading keep Constance calm and centered. We can
expect fundraising, advocacy and governance to continue to be important to Constance
during her term on this CC.
Thank you Tina, Candace, and Constance. The CC looks forward to working with you and
getting to know you better.......and by the way, we do have two positions open if anyone else
would like to consider joining us!
Written by Muriel Schubert
Our thanks to those who are sponsoring
cat or dog kennels in our shelter:
Great news from the Co-op!
Thank you to all the members and
volunteers who have been buying their
gas from the Co-op and using our SPCA
member number (100150). We received
a cheque for the member rebate of
$4450 in April - a big help to our branch
fund raising!
...Janet Pattinson
Pat and Gary Lagimodiere
John Pattinson
Nel and Gordon Peach
Steve Philibert
Michelle Reed
BC SPCA Five Freedoms For All Animals
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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.