B.C. SPCA aiding animals at risk
The B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is seeking your input on the best way to protect the province’s vulnerable animals as it sets out to craft its new fiveyear strategic plan.
“The B.C. SPCA is the largest animal-welfare organization of its kind in North America, with services ranging from cruelty investigations, sheltering and wildlife rehabilitation to advocacy, humane education and farm-animal welfare programs,” said CEO Craig Daniell. “Through the support of our generous donors and the efforts of our staff and volunteers, we are able to directly impact the lives of tens of thousands of abused, neglected, homeless and injured animals every year and to increase welfare for millions of animals through our advocacy for stronger legislation and policy.”
The SPCA is seeking feedback from animal lovers across B.C. on how the society can make the biggest difference for companion, farm and wild animals at risk.
“This public input into how we shape our activities during the next five years is critical in ensuring that our work reflects the unique needs and concerns of communities right across our province,” said Daniell.
The online survey takes roughly five minutes to complete.
For more information, go to spca.bc.ca.
Keep an ear out for owls
Become a citizen scientist by volunteering to listen for the endangered coastal sub-species of the western screech owl.
February to April is the birds’ breeding season, and volunteers are needed to listen for their distinctive courtship calls in areas where they have been known to nest.
The program to monitor the owls was first launched in 2015 by the Habitat Acquisition Trust. It is labour-intensive — in 2016 more than 40 volunteers spent a total of 54 hours travelling 60 kilometres to find just four territories where the owls were active.
Western screech owls were once commonly found in Greater Victoria. Numbers have fallen by more than 90 per cent in the past decade due to an increase in population of barred owls, which have displaced their smaller cousins.
Outdoor cats not only kill owls but their prey food of small rodents and birds. Poisons used to control rodents have also been found in the bodies of most owls.
In addition to its census activities, the project works with landowners to encourage conservation of suitable habitat where owls can breed and find food.
Habitat Acquisition Trust volunteers have begun building and installing nest boxes for owls that can be monitored in future years to gauge the success of the program. Two of these boxes have already become home to breeding western screech owl pairs, which is encouraging.
In 2018, the trust is hosting an owl-monitoring training session with local Scouts, who will learn to assess nest-box use at Camp Barnard.
The Habitat Acquisition Trust Western Screech Owl Project is funded by the government of Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program and by donations from the public.
Anyone wanting to become a citizen scientist — by listening for hoots, building nest boxes or helping in other ways — can call 250-995-2428 or visit hat.bc.ca.
Fundraiser passes goal for fresh food
The Gift of Good Food Holiday Fundraiser has surpassed its goal, raising more than $76,800 to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to needy families every other week throughout 2018.
The food hampers will go to 153 families chosen by 15 organizations: 1Up Single Parent Resource Centre, Bridges for Women, Burnside-Gorge Community Association, Esquimalt Neighbourhood House, Fairfield Gonzales, Fernwood Community Centre, James Bay Community Project, Oaklands Community Association, Quadra Village Community Centre, Saanich Neighbourhood Place, Songhees Nation, Sooke Family Resource Society, Victoria Native Friendship Centre, Victoria West Community Association and West Shore Child, Family and Youth Services.
The program is an initiative of the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group, with money raised by fundraising teams, local businesses, events, donation jars and an online campaign.
For more information, go to thegoodfoodbox.ca.
Gingerbread houses raise $51,000
The 2017 Gingerbread Showcase has brought in more than $51,000 to help build homes for local families.
Once again, local residents, tourists and corporate groups opened their wallets for the festive tradition, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity Victoria.
Over the past nine years, the Gingerbread Showcase has raised $230,000 to acquire land and build homes for local families in need of a safe and affordable place to call their own.
While viewing the entries was free, visitors to the spectacle were asked to consider a donation with every ballot for the People’s Choice Award.
The public responded enthusiastically, with more than 14,000 ballots cast. They chose Our Wonderful Canadian National Parks by Boa Constructors as their favourite.
Their creation, following this year’s theme of Celebrating Canada, depicts the historic east gate of Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. Whimsical touches such as moose, bears and elk setting up their campsites made this a favourite with all ages.
Other winners include:
• First Place Professional — Daniela Lucchiti: Everybody Eats When They come to my House
• First Place Amateur — Jesika Edison: Growing up Canadian
• Best First impression — Selena Bolton: Canadian, eh
• Best Interpretation of the Theme — Irma Rodenhuis and Dibya Shrestha: Not My Way or Your Way — Our Way…
• Most Creative and Original — Claire Shain: Christmas Is for the Birds
• Best Use of Skill and Technique — Boa Constructors: Our Wonderful Canadian National Parks
Organizers also gave a big shout-out to 120 volunteer ambassadors who ensured the public knew the stories behind the gingerbread creations.
Photos of all the entries can be viewed at habitatvictoria.com/ gingerbread-showcase.html.
Prize honours children dedicated to rights
Do you know of a child who has helped to improve the rights of children? Nominations are open for the International Children’s Peace Prize 2018.
Hosted by KidsRights Foundation, the annual prize is awarded to a boy or girl, regardless of race, place of birth or social standing, who has demonstrated the skill and determination necessary to personally improve the rights of children.
This is the 14th year of the prize, which confers recognition and a global platform to continue the child’s work on an international scale.
KidsRights is proud of the growth and accomplishments by its past winners. Malala Yousafzai, who won in 2013, went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize the next year.
The nomination criteria include:
• The nominee must be a girl or boy over 12 and under 18 years of age;
• A clear history of standing up and fighting for his/her own rights and/or the rights of other children. It is important that the child have an active approach in accomplishing this goal, which has led to a concrete result;
• The child agrees to being nominated.
The deadline for entries is March 1. The nomination form and the full list of criteria can be found at childrenspeaceprize.org.
Plant a tree to make Nanaimo green
The City of Nanaimo is once again partnering with homeowners to make their city green by offering heavily discounted tree vouchers for residents.
The program, in partnership with Green Thumb Garden Centre, provides residents with affordable trees for planting on their properties.
Starting Monday, residents can purchase $20 vouchers for trees from the city. The vouchers can then be redeemed at Green Thumb Garden Centre for designated trees worth up to $75 each.
“Trees in a city provide many social, economic and environmental benefits,” said Patrick McIntosh, urban forestry co-ordinator. “A healthy urban forest canopy provides critical habitat for wildlife, reduces the impacts of global warming, provides stormwater abatement, increases property values and helps define the character of the city. One mature tree can sequester more than 22 kilograms of carbon in a year and produce enough oxygen for two adults. Protecting our existing trees and planting new ones is one of the best things we can do for future generations.”
A total of 400 vouchers will be available on a first-come, firstserved basis for City of Nanaimo residents only. A limit of two vouchers will be sold per property. The vouchers can be purchased from the city’s Service and Resource Building, 411 Dunsmuir St. Proof of residency or photo identification might be required. Vouchers expire on March 25. For more information, go to nanaimo.ca.
Nerdy craft fair donates $4,000
On Wednesday, Cherry Bomb Toys and the Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair presented a cheque for more than $4,000 to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
Specializing in pop culture and nerdy crafts, the annual craft fair, held in December in Market Square, donates all of its door proceeds to charity.
The money is earmarked for the Victoria General Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which provides care for sick newborn infants, including extremely low-birth-weight infants, experiencing a range of health complications. It serves Vancouver Island and accepts transfers from within B.C.
For more information, go to victoriahf.ca or cherry-bombtoys.myshopify.com.
Project helps pets and their owners
The Boneless Project is a charity that helps animals and their owners, many of whom are vulnerable citizens. It is looking for donations, as the pantry is almost empty.
The Victoria Pet Food Bank and Feral Cat Rehabilitation Society recently delivered 30 special hampers for dogs and cats to transition homes and emergency shelters.
This is in addition to the 227 kilograms of dog kibble and 68 kg of cat kibble, 30 cans of wet food for dogs and 70 for cats that the group delivers monthly.
This week, they are going back with more sweaters, coats, toys, treats, food and vitamins. They deliver both to the shelters and door-to-door, serving the homeless, elderly people and disabled low-income families.
For locations where donations can be dropped off, or to donate online, go to safars.org.