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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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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
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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
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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!
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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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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.
