Is one of your new year's resolutions to lose weight? Why not leash up your pooch and take on that challenge together with daily walks and play time?
Do you also plan to eat healthier in 2011? The B.C. SPCA's certified food labelling program puts its stamp on humanely raised products that are free of sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics.
Or maybe you plan to go a little greener in 2011 by making less of an impact on the environment. Pet-friendly propylene-based antifreeze for your vehicle is biodegradable and recyclable and won't harm pets and wildlife.
The B.C. SPCA offers these additional news year's resolutions for animal lovers to help make life better for the animals in our communities:
ID your pet. The SPCA reunites thousands of lost animals with their families every year. However, many are never claimed and must be adopted into new homes because their original guardians could not be found. Ideally, your pets should have ID tags on their collar and either a microchip or tattoo. Make sure the information is accurate and up to date. Visit spca.bc.ca/ID.
Help a homeless or wild animal get the care they need. The B.C. SPCA's priority funds let you choose which program or service to support. Select from the Heroes Fund to support the work of the cruelty investigations team; the Monty Fund to support education and advocacy programs; the Biscuit Fund to help pay for veterinary medical care; the October Grey Fund to provide daily care in shelters; and the Highest Priority Needs Fund to help injured, homeless and abused animals throughout the province. Visit spca.bc.ca/support.
Join the Pets in the City campaign. Dangerous dogs, chained dogs, puppy mills, stray cats, feral rabbits these are common animal issues British Columbians encounter in our communities every day. Your municipal council has the power to solve these problems through regulatory bylaws. Visit the Pets in the City action centre at spca.bc.ca/petsinthecity and send your council a message.
Wildlife is often injured as the result of human activity. Properly dispose of items that can potentially harm wild animals, such as household cleaners, plastic bags and cigarette butts. Better yet, switch to environmentally friendly cleaners and use fabric bags instead of plastic.
Volunteer. The B.C. SPCA relies on nearly 4,000 volunteers and has opportunities to volunteer with and on behalf of the animals. Training is ongoing. Visit spca.bc.ca/volunteer to find a location near you.
Adopt. A dog, cat, rabbit or even a mouse can enrich your life, and theirs, too. Visit spca.bc.ca/adopt.
Choose your food wisely. Make a commitment to purchase foods raised according to high standards of animal welfare. Look for B.C. SPCA Certified products in the meat and dairy sections of your grocery store; if you can't find certified products at your grocery store, download a customer request card from the SPCA website and give it to the store manager. Visit spca.bc.ca/farm.
Stay informed. Sign up for Anim@ls, a free monthly e-newsletter about evolving animal issues, the work of the cruelty investigations team, upcoming event and programs at spca.bc.ca.
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