Times Colonist

LOVING LEGACIES OF HEALING

Plan for a future where all animals are cared for, wherever the need arises.

- To find out more about leaving a legacy of love and caring for the animals, visit: spca.bc.ca/giftplanni­g or contact: Yolanda Benoit, Senior Manager, Gift Planning Phone: 1-800-665-1868. Email:benoit@spca.bc.ca

At the end of August 2017, the BC SPCA rescued and removed over 50 cats from a hoarding situation and deplorable living conditions at a Victoria home. In preparatio­n to receive these high-need arrivals, the Victoria Branch transferre­d their resident healthy cats to other branches across BC to make room.

One of the cats, Leonie, had a severe upper respirator­y infection and an eye infection that wouldn’t allow her to open her eyes. She required weeks of expensive treatment before she was able to be put up for adoption. Some of the other cats from this group needed expensive surgeries and dental work, while other cats, like Raven, a sweet black cat, completely traumatize­d and unaccustom­ed to human touch, require ongoing behaviour modificati­on to learn to play and to trust that humans are safe.

Generous animal lovers across BC stepped up to help cover some of the unexpected costs that a large intake like this brings, but there is still a heavy burden on the operations of the Victoria Branch, and the other branches in BC that stepped up to take in the existing Victoria cats.

Sadly, this situation plays out throughout British Columbia, with the BC SPCA answering the call in communitie­s throughout the province - which would not be possible without donations from loyal supporters.

Happily, Annie Prittie-Bell, the branch manager in Victoria, reports that “though Leonie may always have respirator­y issues and breathing problems, she has found a loving forever family who is willing to support her special needs”. And Raven? “It has been almost two months of working to get these cats to come around” says Prittie-Bell, “and weekly, we have at least one graduate from behaviour modificati­on to our adoption program. We cannot wait for the day when each of them finds a family who understand­s their needs and takes them home.”

You can plan for a future where all animals, like Leonie and Raven, are cared for, wherever the need arises in British Columbia. Create a legacy of caring and support for future generation­s of animals in need so that no animal ever gets left behind.

 ??  ?? Above: Leonie, after she has found her loving home. Right: Leonie before treatment.
Above: Leonie, after she has found her loving home. Right: Leonie before treatment.
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