Year: 2022

Tiny but Mighty

December 20, 2022

By Taylor Huestis

This is Tiny Tim. And he is just like the beloved and brave character in a Christmas Carol. Faced with adversity, Tiny Tim’s optimistic outlook inspired everyone here at the SPCA.

Found as a stray kitten, Tiny Tim was only a few weeks old. Sadly, his front leg was broken.

Now, normally kittens this young would be learning how to run and play. But not Tiny Tim. His leg was broken so badly that we thought it may need to be amputated.

Our fabulous veterinarian, Dr. Griffin, took Tiny Tim into surgery. Thankfully, with her experience and expertise, she was able to save his leg.

Tiny Tim’s future looked bright and positive. But he also tested positive for something else… Panleukopenia.

Panleukopenia is a deadly disease that requires around-the-clock supportive care. It is highly contagious so he needed to be away from other animals while he received treatment. Tiny Tim ended up going into foster care with Sandra, our Provincial Director of Animal Care.

After two weeks of hard work and hope, we all sighed with relief. Tiny Tim had recovered! He was officially ready for his next chapter.

That’s when Tiny Tim met Ruqiah and Haya.

“We’ve always wanted to adopt a kitten but when we first saw him we knew he was the one,” they exclaimed. “He was just so adorable and too cute. We started petting him and playing with him and he was responding so good and was comfortable around us as if it wasn’t the first time we met!”

“The healing process after his surgeries was extremely good,” they continued. “His leg has recovered completely and he plays around as if it was never injured. He is such an active cat and he likes jumping and climbing around.”

In addition to adding more laughter into their lives, Tiny Tim has also taught the family some valuable life lessons.

“He taught us to never give up and that eventually everything is gonna be alright,” they smiled. “He is indeed our little fighter!”

Just like in A Christmas Carol, Tiny Tim is an important symbol of how your actions can change someone’s life. He embodies the true spirit of the holidays and our community coming together.

Speaking of community… we have a lot of people to thank this year.

Thank you to our fosters who open your heart and homes.
Thank you to our volunteers who give your talent and time.
Thank you to our thrift supporters who shop or donate goodies.
Thank you to our pet patients and loving families at our hospitals and clinics.
Thank you to our advocates who read these stories, raise awareness, and report cruelty.
Thank you to our donors who give generously, fundraise, and drop off supplies.
Thank you to our students who are investing in animal welfare education.
Thank you to our adopters who give second chances to deserving pets.
And last but certainly not least, thank you to the families who do the right thing and reach out for help.

We are honoured to do this work. On behalf of Tiny Tim and everyone here at the SPCA, thank you for your loyal support.

We hope you enjoy these Paw Print stories every month and hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

Taylor Huestis

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive paw-rent to Bonnie and Boy. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local pets and loving families. Connect with Taylor at thuestis@spcans.ca or 902-222-0378 today.

Pup Rescued in Hurricane Fiona Joins Firefighter Family

November 24, 2022

By Taylor Huestis

Rescuing seems to run in the MacNeil family.

“I followed my father and uncle’s footsteps as volunteer members to get where I am,” Adam MacNeil, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Captain, recalled. “Now, I’ve been a professional firefighter for 17 years. I’m proud to say, my son, Shamus, is also a career firefighter as well in Halifax.”

When Hurricane Fiona hit the Maritimes, the fire department was extremely busy running emergency calls. But one call was rather unique.

A black lab puppy was stuck under a big pile of boulders at Frog Pond. Captain MacNeil, along with 10 other firefighters, responded.

“We got the call at West Street Fire Station (3) to assist the Spryfield Station (6) with a technical rescue that morning,” Captain MacNeil explained. “They had a puppy that was stuck under a pile of large rocks and couldn’t get herself out. Someone walking by heard her and phoned for help.”

“Engine 6 had made good progress and had a plan in place when we arrived,” continued Captain MacNeil. “When we got on scene we utilized our heavy rescue gear to strap the boulders and lift them out of the way. Once the last rock was moved Firefighter Leclerc and I grabbed her and pulled her free. She was pretty dirty and shaken but seemed okay. We sent her with the Animal Control Officers to be checked over at the vet.”

The pup was brought to HRM Animal Redemption Centre for safe shelter and medical care. At the HRM Animal Redemption Centre, there is a 72-business-hour hold in the hopes to reunite lost pets. With so many without power because of the storm, the hold was extended even longer. But still, no one came forward for the puppy.

Captain MacNeil couldn’t stop thinking about the rescued pup. And he wasn’t the only one!

“My sister works as a vet tech at the emergency clinic near the shelter and went to see her after she had heard of the call,” Captain MacNeil shared. “We kept in touch to see how she was doing in the next few days.”

When the pup became available for adoption, Captain MacNeil immediately stepped forward.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was about the pup that made him want to adopt. Maybe it was the trust they built that day or a special connection… whatever it was, Captain MacNeil knew this pup was the perfect addition to their rescuer family.

They made it official and gave her an adorable name: Jinx.

“Jinx is a ball of energy for sure but learning fast from her new brother Rigby(6) and mama Cinder (13),” Captain MacNeil smiled. “They love the company for sure. Special credit to my wife, Ryan, who puts the long hours of training in, and the other firefighters that were on the call that day: Engine 6 – Captain J. Parsons, FF Leclerc, FF Cromwell, FF Swim, Aerial 3 – Captain Koch, FF Crooks, Engine 3/Rescue 3 – FF LeRue, FF Scott, FF LaPointe, and Chief Robia.”

Now, this rescued pup doesn’t just have a new home, but she has a loving family full of rescuers.

Taylor Huestis

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie and Boy. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need. Connect with Taylor at thuestis@spcans.ca or 902-222-0378 today.

A Special Ukrainian Reunion

November 24, 2022

By Taylor Huestis

On June 2nd, a chartered flight carrying more than 300 Ukrainians seeking safety landed in Nova Scotia. They were welcomed with a one-time benefit payment from the federal government and a two-week stay in a hotel. During those 14 days, along with trying to learn a new language, they were tasked with securing jobs and a place to stay during a housing crisis.

For families with beloved pets, it was even more challenging. But for many, leaving behind their pets was simply not an option.

Dmytro and his family were working hard to find a place to call home. Although they were only allowed to bring limited luggage, most of the items were for their precious kitty, Mira. They knew it would be a long, stressful journey, and wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. After all, Mira is family.

“Our journey had to be light because my family and I with Mira went from Ukraine on the first day of the war,” explained Dmytro. “We drove a very big distance about 10,000 kilometres.”

But with the deadline of their hotel stay looming, they were struggling to find an apartment that was available, affordable, and pet-friendly. On the final day, just before check-out time, Dmytro connected with the Canadian Red Cross Disaster Response team looking for recommended resources.

The Canadian Red Cross staff and volunteers knew about the SPCA Paws & Support Program. In preparation for the flight, the SPCA had donated pet food, gave supplies, and provided resources about programs. They reached out to the SPCA, asking for help.

Thanks to generous donors and funders like the NSLC’s For the Good of Our Community Fund and PetSmart Charities of Canada, the SPCA was able to extend a helping paw. Mira joined the SPCA Paws & Support Program.

This free program was created to help pet owners who face hospitalization, homelessness, or need safety. Pets live with trained temporary foster families and are reunited once their owner is in a healthy, safe space. Families like Dmytro can feel confident their pet is well cared for while they focus on their own well-being.

The SPCA coordinator drove down and met Mira and Dmytro’s wife. They were extremely relieved that Mira would be in safe hands while they continued their search. Mira traveled to the shelter to meet a loving foster family who was ready to open their heart and home. It was there that she met the perfect foster match – Kai.

Just months before, Kai’s precious kitty, Lynn, had passed away. “We loved her a lot and didn’t really feel ready to commit to a new cat right away,” Kai expressed. “However, we did miss the company, so we applied for the fostering program. The main thing that was learned by fostering Mira was that even though Lynn was gone, there were still a lot of other cats that needed someone to love them, even if Mira was only for a short time.”

“It is easy to forget that when people are going through a bad time that their animals are also having a bad time, which adds problems the people,” Kai continued. “Being able to take one stressor off the plate helps things get worked out more quickly.”

Mira settled in right away. “She warmed up to us so quickly that it was very heart warming,” Kai recalled. “She is so sweet and very affectionate. Mira also has a very cute squeaky meow that always stands out in my memory.”

Only 17 days later, the SPCA received a happy message. Dmytro and his family found an apartment! They were anxiously awaiting this day and were grateful to be reunited with their sweet Mira. There wasn’t a dry eye at the shelter.

“My daughters are happy,” Dmytro smiled. “We are happy because it is a new life for us and I hope it will be beautiful and happy. Halifax and Nova Scotia are very nice.”

We may speak different languages… but we all understand love.

Taylor Huestis

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie and Boy. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need. Connect with Taylor at thuestis@spcans.ca or 902-222-0378 today.

A Rescued Dog Saves His Adopter’s Life: Toast’s Story

November 24, 2022

By Judy Layne

When Tom and Joan adopted a deserving dog on December 24th last year, they knew he would be a wonderful addition to their family and would fill their home with unconditional love. But they never dreamed that a few short months later, he would become so much more than that. In fact, he ended up saving Joan’s life! Here’s the incredible story.

The couple had been looking to adopt a dog when they spotted a photo on the SPCA website that caught their eye. The shelter had named him Ghost. “We were immediately drawn to Ghost’s picture,” said Joan.  “He was so cute, but he looked so sad.” They just knew they had to meet this sweet boy, so they headed to the Dartmouth Shelter to take Ghost for a walk. “During our walk, Ghost kept looking up at us smiling, as if to say ‘Am I doing this right?’ and ‘Do you like me?’ He just melted our hearts. Being the perfect size for us sealed the deal. Ghost was coming home with us.”

“We decided to change Ghost’s name to Toast,” explained Tom. “It wouldn’t be a dramatic change for him, plus we joke that we love having our lazy mornings with our coffee and Toast!” Four-year-old Toast made himself at home within the first 5 minutes of entering the house. “He checked out each room and looked at us as if to say ‘I think I’ll stay.’”

Toast definitely filled the house with love and joy. “We knew he was an amazing boy”, said Joan. One night in March, Toast proved just how amazing he is. Joan shared “I knew I was in big trouble. I was having a terrible time breathing and couldn’t call out for Tom to help. It was very frightening. Toast was beside me and I asked him to go get Dad. He started barking to alert Tom that I was in distress. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance where they found I had fluid on my lungs and needed immediate open-heart surgery.”

The couple credits Toast with saving Joan’s life. “He is definitely our hero!” they exclaimed. And Toast’s caring attentive nature didn’t stop there. “When Joan came home, Toast helped me to look after her,” related Tom. “We feel such a strong connection to Toast and we will never forget his loyalty and heroism on a very scary night. We are committed to making sure the rest of his life is the best it can possibly be.”

And Toast is definitely living his best life. Joan shared “He loves going for walks and for rides in the car. Playing fetch is high on his list of favorite things to do, as is helping Dad in the shed. In fact, he has ‘adopted’ Dad as the one to follow around 24/7! He is also a great wildlife watcher. We have twin 5-year-old great-granddaughters and Toast adores playing with them. He also has some neighborhood doggie-pals who come over to play.” Toast’s charming personality impresses everyone he meets.He is well-liked at Timmies’ drive-through window and he never fails to welcome all visitors at the couple’s front door.

You might think it was fate that brought Toast into Joan’s life to be her hero. In fact, Toast was brought to the province on wheels of love, formally known as the SPCA’s International Transport Program.

Here’s the scoop behind the program. During certain times of the year, the SPCA experiences a sharp decline in the number of homeless pets in the province – at times, there have been as few as 8 dogs available for adoption in Nova Scotia – and often the SPCA has the ability to help more homeless animals. Since 2019, the SPCA has helped many animal welfare organizations in Canada, transporting and saving more than 500 pets. And if we have this greater ability, why not help more animals?

The international component was launched in August 2021, in collaboration with our American partner, the ASPCA. The needs of Nova Scotia animals and families will ALWAYS come first, but when space and resources allow, the SPCA will safely bring pets into the province from approved U.S. shelters that are overwhelmed with homeless pet over-population. There is no fixed schedule for international transports, so if shelter space is needed for local animals, transports can be delayed until there is room in the SPCA’s shelters again.

The SPCA sets high ethical standards and strict protocols to ensure the health and safety of people and pets – both those being transported and those here in the province. Thanks to a $100,000 grant from Pet Valu, the SPCA was able to purchase an advanced animal transport vehicle custom- designed for pet comfort and safety. It’s definitely a win-win for people and animals!

The couple hopes that sharing Toast’s story will help people realize just how incredible adopted dogs can be. “Toast was the best Christmas present we ever received,” they said. “We are so grateful to the SPCA for this life-saving program. It not only gave Toast a second chance at life but ended up giving Joan a second chance too.”

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

From Thrown Away to Treasured: Sheldon’s Story

November 24, 2022

By Judy Layne

The car slowed down just enough to throw something on the side of the highway, then sped away. That ‘something’ was an adorable kitty, partially wrapped in an old towel. Frightened and alone on a busy highway and surrounded by woods with wild animals, the kitty’s chances of survival were slim. He needed a hero to save him. 

Kim was driving along the highway that day when she spotted something by the side of the road. When she realized it was a cat, she pulled over and coaxed the bewildered kitty into her car. Kim quickly brought him to safety at the SPCA Colchester Shelter. Kudos to Kim for saving this precious soul.

Estimated to be a year old, shelter staff named him Sheldon. You could readily see that something was wrong with Sheldon’s ears. He had aural hematomas – both of his ears had filled up with fluid and needed drainage before they burst. Sheldon was immediately taken to the SPCA’s clinic in Dartmouth. During his surgery, a fractured tooth was also removed and Sheldon started medication for an upper respiratory infection. While he was recovering, Sheldon received lots of yummy food, attention and snuggles from staff and volunteers.

But Sheldon had one more surgery to go. X-rays showed that he had calcified deposits by his right front elbow. They were removed, but there’s a chance they could grow back. He developed a limp due to scar tissue healing, but throughout everything, Sheldon continued to be his happy, affectionate self.

Sheldon’s road to recovery was going to be long, so he was placed in the Foster-to-Adopt Program on September 28th. That’s when he met his second hero who would ultimately nurse him back to good health. Lori and her family were visiting the shelter looking for a kitten. “Sheldon was cute and very friendly. I was drawn to his coloring and his sweet personality. It was hard not to fall head-over-paws in love with him,” recalled Lori.

Although the family had adopted cats from the SPCA before, they had never fostered a kitty with medical issues and wanted to ensure they were up to the challenge. SPCA staff thoroughly explained what would be involved in Sheldon’s care. Lori shared “At first, I was hesitant but all I could think was that Sheldon needed love and we could give it to him. We genuinely love cats, which counts for a lot. Also, my husband Patrice and I are retired so we could be there for Sheldon 24/7.” So, the couple decided to open their hearts and home to him, along with Leo, the kitten they also adopted that day.

Sheldon adapted quickly to his new home. “We think he was grateful to be in a loving home,” said Lori.  “Sheldon head-butted me and snuggled within the first hour of arriving home! For the first 2 weeks, we kept Sheldon and Leo away from our 14 year-old cat Nabi. We carefully monitored Sheldon, noting that his cat flu was clearing up and observing his limp to assess progress. At first, I felt “Poor Sheldon, he has a limp that may never go away, but he can actually do anything that other cats do, including 3:00am zoomies!”

Patrice related “Sheldon and Leo comforted each other from the beginning. They play together and have become best friends. Sheldon tried to play with Nabi, but that didn’t necessarily go well. Nabi tolerates him, but Sheldon is still trying to win him over!”

Sheldon is definitely living his best life. Lori shared “He loves to snuggle and give ‘cheeky rubs’ when I’m on the phone or the computer and he has discovered every soft surface in our house. He loves playing with his toys – his favorite being a purple mouse which is now falling apart. He enjoys play-fighting and tag but is just as content looking out the window. Of course, like all cats, he loves to explore his environment, especially if there is something new added to it. Boxes anyone??”

Sheldon has been receiving medicine for his ears. Patrice explained “We’re not sure if he will need these meds for the rest of his life. The vet lets us know what Sheldon needs and we do our best to provide that. He understandably doesn’t like getting his meds. Fortunately, he doesn’t hold any grudges! We take him for periodic check-ups at the SPCA. The staff is very caring and we have a great deal of trust in them.”

Sheldon has made a huge difference in the family’s life. “He fills our home with joy and laughter and is one of the most expressive, affectionate cats I have ever known,” exclaimed Lori. “Because my sons are older and don’t depend on me as much as they did as children, Sheldon has brought a sense of fulfillment that comes with helping someone who needs me.”

The couple’s advice to people about adopting a pet with special needs? “If you genuinely love animals and have the time to devote to them, do it! You will be richly rewarded. Don’t worry if you’ve never lived with an animal who needs special care. Lack of experience doesn’t mean that you can’t give them a good life. You just listen to the vet and do your best for your pet. If you keep that in mind, it’s easy to do what needs to be done.”

“We are so grateful to the SPCA for bring Sheldon into our lives,” said the couple. “The SPCA played a huge role in giving Sheldon a second chance. They cared for him when he was at his most vulnerable and it was because of the caring nature of employees and volunteers that Sheldon was able to recover and live a good life. If it weren’t for the SPCA and the work they do, Sheldon would likely not even be alive today, let alone be living in a loving home.”

Luckily, Sheldon’s story had a happy ending. Not all abandoned animals are so fortunate. There is NEVER a good reason to abandon your pet. The Nova Scotia SPCA has an open admission policy. They never judge and understand that unexpected life situations happen. If you need to rehome your pet, please call to schedule a time to come in. This allows the shelter to prepare a cozy space for your pet to make the transition as smooth as possible. They understand how emotionally difficult it is to surrender a pet and thank all owners who are able to make the best decision for their pet. Please help us share this important message.

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Fulfilling a Decades-Old Promise in Pictou County

October 20, 2022

By Sarah Lyon

Vince Angst grew up in the neighbourhood of the SPCA in Abercrombie. He would go in and ask how he could help. “It seemed to me that Dee Brown was running it all. And I wanted to help.” Vince loved animals and he started thinking about ways he could raise money for the shelter, telling Dee Brown he could hold a bottle drive.

“The thing is, you get these ideas as a kid, lots of them,” admits Vince. “And then your interests change. You move on to something else.”

That something else was building a career, home, and life with his wife Michelle at the base of Mt. Thom. Calling himself a ‘country boy,’ Vince always had dogs and cats in his life, acknowledging a soft spot for those who need to be rescued.

Having worked in auto sales for decades, Vince is well known in Pictou County. In fact, it was from the car dealership community, that Vince got the idea to host a golf tournament in support of the Pictou SPCA.

“A while ago the local car dealerships would get together to host a baseball tournament. And a few years back I thought, could I do that? What if I put on a golf tournament but for the local animals at the SPCA?” says Vince.

Vince set out to have a simple tournament. He went around town asking for auction items or for a business to sponsor a hole. The first year, one thousand dollars was raised for the Pictou shelter, with Vince crediting the small and local businesses in Pictou County that stepped up and continue too.

In 2022, Vince celebrated the tenth anniversary of the now named Kathy Skoke-Fortin Memorial Golf Tournament, raising 18 times more than the total in the first year.

“The tournament is bigger than I ever dreamed. I could not do it without the support of my wife and father who support me every year,” says Vince. “And of course, community! But it is 100% for the cause. Everyone wants to help the animals, but also the staff at the shelter.” Vince says the support from the community is unbelievable.

One of those from the community who was a big support was Vince and Michelle’s best friend Kathy. “She was an animal lover known to take in the odd stray cat. She was a very kind and beautiful person.” A few years into hosting the golf tournament, Kathy was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away. To honour her, Vince re-named the tournament the Kathy Skoke-Fortin Memorial Golf Tournament. “This way,” he says, ‘she, an animal lover, won’t be forgotten.”

Vince’s legacy will not soon be forgotten either, as he played a pivotal role in helping the community get a new shelter.

It was about ten weeks before the 2020 Kathy Skoke-Fortin Memorial Golf Tournament, and Vince had a tough decision to make; with the world still living in a pandemic, could, should, he hold the tournament?

“There are a few months of planning that goes into holding the event, and I made the hard decision to cancel,” says Vince. While sad to miss a year, Vince was at work that morning and a couple came on the lot looking for a truck. So he went out and greeted them.

“I didn’t know the MacKay’s. But when they came onto the lot, we got to talking, and I told them I was a little sad because I had to cancel the golf tournament.” Turns out Vince was talking to two people who also supported the Pictou shelter and thought a new one was needed, Sharon and Elmer MacKay. “Sharon asked me who at the Nova Scotia SPCA I was working with, and I went into the office and grabbed Christa Jensen’s card and gave it to two great people.”

That day on the Angst Auto Sales lot, Vince helped lay the groundwork for a new shelter that will serve animals and families in Northern Nova Scotia. The North Nova SPCA will consist of a hospital for the community, a new shelter for animals, and a thrift store where profits are re-invested to support animal care.

That’s a little bit more than the bottle drive once promised to Dee Brown.

Sarah Lyon

Sarah is the Director of Marketing and Communications with the Nova Scotia SPCA. At home, she parents rescue dog Mz. Roxy Roller and son Lochlan. Telling the stories of adopters, donors, and volunteers is what makes her tail wag. Connect with Sarah at slyon@spcans.ca or 902-229-8620 today.