Author: Paula Nalbaru

A Tail about Whiskers and Hope

December 11, 2024

By Paula Nalbaru

It was a November day in 2023 when Bill walked into the Yarmouth SPCA Shelter.  

He was ready to offer lots of love and a warm, welcoming home to a pet in need. It was sweet, three-year-old Arabella who caught Bill’s attention.   

He brought her home, where slowly, she was coming out of her shell.  

They only had three weeks together, before Bill lost his home, and Arabella in a heartbreaking tragedy.  

Each furry friend that leaves our lives creates a permanent paw print in our hearts. No matter how long they are with us, hours, days, months, or years, the loss cuts just as deep and the silence they leave behind is quite loud.  

While staying in a motel trying to find a new place to live, Bill felt that silence. It was maybe too quiet having grown up with the pitter-patter of nails against the floor. No one could replace Arabella, and a new pet is never meant to do that.  

But Bill knew other cats were still waiting for a family, and he was looking for a companion. So, once he had secured a new home, he revisited the Yarmouth Shelter.

This time on Christmas Eve.  

Gilbert was there. A three-month-old orange ball of fur who showed his personality from the start and knew his big, beautiful yellow eyes would make someone fall in love with him. 

That someone was Bill. And on December 24, 2023, Gilbert went home.  

“He settled in pretty quickly,” Bill said about the first couple of months with Gilbert. “He was curious, and even though loud noises still startled him sometimes, he found all of the places he loved. As a kitten one of them was my shoulder, climbing up my legs and back. He still tries now when I’m not looking.”  

Gilbert loves the life of an only cat. As I was talking with Bill, Gilbert was sitting on the couch, all sprawled out and looking very much like he runs the place. “He does,” Bill agreed, “and he’s spoiled rotten.”  

Months passed and with each moment spent together, their bond grew stronger. Gilbert, in a fashion only cats seem to possess, seeks love when he wants it, but he is never too far away from his fur dad. Bill said, “He likes being where I am. I’ll watch TV or play video games, and he curls up on the couch. Not right next to me, but close enough and starts to purr. I’ll pet him and when he’s had enough, he’ll give me that look.” He continued, “Sometimes, when I’m at the table, working, he can get lazy about jumping on my lap, so he puts his paw right above my knee and gets himself up using his nails, and you know that sharp nail feel.”  

It’s a quiet, peaceful life even a year later.  

Bill and Gilbert’s moments are just what each other needs since they formed their own little family. When I talked to Bill about the memories they made so far, he said something that stayed with me, “They’re all good.”  

The adoption date was a coincidence. And perhaps a little sign that new chapters and new beginnings don’t erase old memories but build upon them.  

As we near the festive season, and I try to finish writing Bill and Gilbert’s story, I am reminded that it’s not about perfection or things always being the same. It is okay to find joy in small moments – like a cat purring next to you or watching them sleep on top of the dresser because that’s their favourite spot. That it is okay to hope for a fresh start. And that love comes in different shapes and sizes, but that it will always stay with us and light up our lives.  

Just like it did for Bill.  

And if you are looking to add a furry friend in your life and think of adopting, Bill’s advice is, “Just do it. Go to a shelter and meet the pets, spend some time with them, and see what their personalities are like. The best thing I’ve ever done was adopt from a shelter.”  

Paula Nalbaru

Paula Nalbaru is the Philanthropy Communications Coordinator with the Nova Scotia SPCA in Dartmouth. She’s a proud fur-parent and referee between her dog, Summer, and cat, Marshmallow.

A Tabby’s Touch Brings Comfort to Veteran’s Place

November 20, 2024

By Kirsten Millar

If you were to visit Veteran’s Place – the veteran’s wing of the Yarmouth hospital – you may be greeted by staff, residents, or even a sweet little tabby cat named Poppy.

The staff at Veteran’s Place adopted Poppy from the Yarmouth SPCA shelter earlier this year and she has spent the last eight months making herself comfortable and winning over the hearts of residents and staff.

“Within her first few hours here, Poppy was already sniffing and exploring her new home. Within the first few days she had quickly established which residents were cat lovers in the unit, and her presence has surprisingly won over the appreciation from a few non-cat lovers within the group as well,” says Stephanie Smith, Team Lead and Registered Nurse at Veteran’s Place.

The staff gave Poppy her name to honour all veterans who have served and sacrificed. “It only seemed fitting,” says Stephanie.

Poppy was not the first cat to live among the residents at Veteran’s Place. In fact, the unit previously had a cat named Precious who lived there well into her senior years. “Animal therapy has been shown to have many positive therapeutic effects within the elderly population, so when our unit was ready to house a pet again, adopting from the SPCA seemed like a great option,” says Hayley Ryan, Health Services Manager for Veteran’s Place.

Poppy’s daily routine starts with greeting the nursing staff as they arrive in the morning and perching on the desk while they prepare for their shift. She spends her days laying in her favourite resting spots on recliner chairs and soft blankets in resident rooms, as well as sunbathing in our unit’s solarium. She enjoys greeting staff, residents and visitors as they enter the unit.

“It didn’t take long for Poppy to start showing up to the biweekly exercise classes. At first, she watched from underneath residents’ wheelchairs, but she quickly gained the confidence to enter the exercise circle and explore, which gives the residents a good laugh,” says Hayley. “Poppy also enjoys making an appearance at any live musical entertainment and church functions.”

Poppy has adjusted perfectly to living at Veteran’s Place and has brought a peaceful home-like atmosphere to the unit. “She has given residents something positive to look forward to each day. She brings comfort to many residents and often reminds them of their own animal that they once had,” says Stephanie.

When she’s not greeting people, sunbathing, or keeping residents company, Poppy loves to have fun playing with one of her many toys, chasing her tail, shredding paper and zooming around the unit.

One of her most favourite hobbies of all is eating. “She loves food so much that we have had to implement a feeding schedule with an automatic food dispenser, which she wasn’t a big fan of,” says Hayley.

Even though Poppy is just being herself, her presence helps to support the overall mental and emotional well-being of the residents, as well as staff and visitors. The impact that animal therapy can have on us is profound. When a resident is upset, they will sometimes seek out Poppy who gives them the comfort and reassurance they need.

Poppy has proven that even the smallest creatures can make a big difference. She’s a reminder of how special pets can be.

“We all love her, and she has been such a positive, peaceful and entertaining addition Veteran’s Place. We’re beyond thankful to have her,” both Hayley and Stephanie agree.

Kirsten Millar

Kirsten is an animal lover and proud “dog aunt” who recently lost her two cats that she adopted from the SPCA in 2007. She volunteers at the SPCA to honour their memory and help other animals like them.

Frank Finally Finds A Forever Home

November 20, 2024

By Judy Layne

We’ve all heard the expression “the third time’s the charm” but in Frank’s case, it was the fourth time when fate brought him the forever home he so longed for and deserved.   

Frank’s beautiful soulful eyes tell the story of a dog who has seen ups and downs in his life. On August 20, 2022 Frank was found stray by a Good Samaritan who brought him to safety at the Yarmouth Shelter. He was underweight and had an injured paw.   

Once Frank was healthy, he was put up for adoption and went home with a lovely lady in September 2022. Sadly, she had to surrender Frank in December due to her declining health and inability to care for him 24/7.   

Frank was transferred to the Kings Shelter at the beginning of 2023 and adopted again in January, this time by a nice family. Unfortunately, over time the family realized they could no longer offer Frank the life he deserved and, putting Frank’s needs first, they surrendered him in May 2024.   

Frank had so much love to give; all he needed was the right person to come along. And perhaps a bit of magic was at play when he found his perfect match in Laura Elliott. 

Laura said “Learning about Frank was actually a complete fluke.” After moving from Newfoundland to Halifax, Laura missed her family dogs greatly. She had been thinking about adopting a dog and for months, she kept an eye on the SPCA website. Then life got busy and she stopped checking. Long after her search was suspended, Laura was dog-sitting for a friend and felt inspired to take a look again. “Frank’s photo was the fourth one I saw,” recalled Laura. “I don’t know what drew me to him, but I was hooked. I called my partner Iain Duncan immediately and asked if he wanted to visit the Kings SPCA the next day.” 

Laura shared “By the time we got to the SPCA, I knew Frank was the only dog I wanted to meet; I felt I knew who I was there for. When we met Frank to take him for a walk, one of the staff members described him as ‘timid but loving’ and I thought that was so endearing. They really hit the nail on the head. While walking Frank, he was so timid, but I could see in those big brown Lab eyes that he had a lot of love to give. Looking back at that moment, I can tell Frank was really longing for his forever home. On June 9th, we were ready to make his wish come true.”

Five years old, sweet Frank had to work really hard to adapt to his new home. Due to how many times Frank passed from one home to another, he understandingly had fairly significant separation anxiety. Iain confirmed “It didn’t take Frank long to figure out who his people were and to bond with us, but it also didn’t take him long to realize he never wanted to be apart from his people. For the first three months we had Frank, we actually never left him home alone once. It took working from home, coordinating schedules and putting off date nights, but it was so important that Frank had the chance to settle and get comfortable before he had to worry if his people would come home. Now, I’m happy to say that we can leave Frank alone (with many food-toys to distract him) and he is ecstatic every time we come back through the door.” 

Frank has blossomed in so many ways since being adopted, explained Laura. “When we first brought Frank home, he was skittish around new people, kept his tail tucked between his legs and held his head low. Now, he greets new people with a wagging tail and bright eyes, he takes every opportunity to play with dogs that pass him on the sidewalk, and prances around with his head and tail held high. Interestingly, while Frank originally preferred to be the only pet at home, I actually think he would now love a dog friend at home, and we will likely adopt Frank a friend from the SPCA! We had such a great experience adopting, I can’t imagine doing it any other way now. Frank is the epitome of a social butterfly, he will play with any dog that is willing, and he even curls up regularly for naps with Iain’s parents 7-lb. dog Roxy.” 

Frank definitely has a list of favourite things. “I always joke and say Frank likes to do anything I’m doing, but it’s really true!” said Laura. “Frank will make himself comfortable anywhere, as long as it means he is close to Iain and me. Beyond just being with us, Frank loves his naps in bed, playing with his food-toys, hiking, camping, cuddling up to his people (the floor, bed, couch, yard, nowhere is off limits – he will find a way into my lap for a snuggle!), lounging in the sun, and chowing down on treats. And Frank will be friendly with anyone who is willing to give him a belly rub!”

The couple cherishes every day with Frank. “It sounds pretty corny,” chuckled Laura “but I have to admit, most moments with Frank are pretty magical. There is nothing quite like reading a book in bed and having Frank snuggle up beside you, hearing how loud he can snore (it’s actually quite impressive), or watching him romp around in the yard. I’m a PhD student, and my days at school can be long and draining. Things as simple as getting to come home and take Frank for his walk, or have a cuddle, bring me so much joy. We have come to learn it’s pretty hard to feel down about a long day once you come home to a dog who is so excited to spend time with you.” 

Laura summed up “Frank is truly one of the kindest, most loving dogs I’ve ever met.  It is clear how much he appreciates the love he receives, and he returns that love ten-fold.  Frank has shown us how rewarding adopting a dog can be; not only are you gaining a best friend, but you’re also giving a deserving dog a second chance at a happy life. Thank you to the SPCA for connecting us with the best dog in the world!” 

 

Please visit our Adoptions page to view the adorable adoptables there. You might just find a best friend to add some magic to your life.

Judy Layne

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

Paws and Milestones: Bridget and Claire’s Story

November 20, 2024

By Paula Nalbaru

Do you remember what you did for your 20th birthday?  

The one thing I like to share about mine is that my roommate bought me a balloon with Happy 50 because I was the oldest on my college dorm floor.  

But how do you celebrate a cat turning 20?  

Well, in Bridget’s case there were treats, a lot of pictures, a birthday girl hat, but “she was fairly nonchalant about the whole thing,” Claire laughed about the memory.  

Bridget turned 20 in July of 2024. But she and Claire met in 2006 at the Dartmouth SPCA Shelter. “I was about to leave my job offshore with a three-week on/three-week off rotation and start my new job with the government where I’d be home all the time, and I wanted a companion. To this day I still remember holding her at the Dartmouth SPCA for the first time. I went looking for a tabby and had a few in mind from checking the SPCA website for potential adoptees on my offshore hitch before I met Bridget; she wasn’t even on the website, so she wasn’t on my ‘list’, but I had brought my friend Edie along and she pointed out Bridget. I think Edie may have even held her first and then told me to hold her. I didn’t want a black and white cat at the time because I figured that no matter what I wore you’d see cat hair on my clothes, but she won me over right away,” Claire said.  

It’s not surprising that Bridget chose her human, but she let Claire think she found the one. Looking back, Claire knew “she was the one because she had cool paws (polydactyl), and she purred as soon as I held her. She also continued to purr while the dogs were being brought back and forth through the room (the dog room was on the other side of the cat room at that time). I figured that meant that she was pretty laid back. At the time I wanted to adopt an adult cat as I knew that they were less likely to be adopted over a kitten. She was two so that was perfect.”  

Once settled in her new home, Bridget didn’t take long to show her personality. Two-year-old Bridget loved to nap on someone’s lap, more so if that person was allergic to cats, and bathe in the sun on the patio. And 20-year-old Bridget still found magic in her favourite activities. 

And for the last 18 years, Claire has loved every moment with her, especially “her napping on my lap. If I’m not working, I’ll brush her and pat her.” Claire continued, “At those moments she seems at her happiest, other than when my kids are around and paying attention to her. At her age I try to enjoy all moments with her, from the simple to the not so simple. She continues to be the best cat ever and I appreciate that every day.”  

It’s understandable that Bridget slowed down a little bit as the years passed. But the one thing that never wavered was her love for people. It is one of the things that Claire found unique about her fur baby, something that she shared comes with “absolutely none of the stereotypical aloofness that cats can have. She isn’t fazed by the odd canine visitor either – she views them with curiosity and no fear. I love how she will shake a paw if you open a door to the outside and it’s chilly. We have all loved her extra toes!”  

In 18 years, Bridget and Claire made memories for a lifetime, and Claire admits she can’t choose a favourite one, but “I just really cherish seeing how my three boys – 15, 12, 11 – have grown up with her and how they love her and treat her.”  

In November 2024, Bridget crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She left paw prints on her humans’ hearts and will forever bring joy and love. Memories of every brush and cuddle, every purr and big stretch are imprinted on all the lives she touched.  

While 18 years seems like a long time, there never is enough time with our fur babies, but we know Claire and Bridget found each other when they both needed it the most. 

It’s during times like this that we realize that small moments, like lap naps, can have the biggest impact on us.

Just like Bridget, there are other furry friends in SPCA shelters across Nova Scotia looking for their people to share magical moments with, being big or small, and create a real fairy tale out of them. So, visit our adoption webpage today, or drop by the nearest shelter to you, where you might find your Bridget. 

** 

Bridget’s mom wanted to share, “I’ve lived with Bridget for over 18 years now, which is longer than I’ve lived with anyone – human or feline. She has been the best companion I could have ever asked for.” 

The original story was written before Bridget crossed the Rainbow Bridge. This story is a tribute to her and her fur mama and the magic they created together for 18 years. 

Paula Nalbaru

Paula Nalbaru is the Philanthropy Communications Coordinator with the Nova Scotia SPCA in Dartmouth. She’s a proud fur-parent and referee between her dog, Summer, and cat, Marshmallow.

Gifts that Purr: A Guide To Giving Back

November 20, 2024

By Paula Nalbaru

The holidays are coming!  

Every year I get so excited about the food, the atmosphere, the great conversations with family and friends.  

One thing I’m not that great at though is gifts. I tell myself each year that I will start budgeting and shopping earlier. And lo and behold December 23 catches me running around stores in a frenzy.  

Lately, though, there has been a trend amongst my loved ones when it comes to gifting. And that is gifts with a purpose or that help support a mission. I have made donations to favourite charities, bought gifts that donated proceeds, and volunteered during the holidays with my friends.  

And since I started working at the Nova Scotia SPCA, I might have started to make gifts that have an “In Support of Nova Scotia SPCA” logo on them. I just can’t help it when candles smell nice and support furry friends.  

With the holidays fast approaching, your mind might be on gifts and preparations, but also on giving back to the community. And we have some ways you can do that for our adorable furry friends in SPCA shelters across the province, during the holiday season, and after.  

Gifts with a Purpose 

Those candles I just mentioned are only one of the partnerships we have with amazing local businesses. Proceeds from these items are donated to the Nova Scotia SPCA. You can buy items such as candles from Burning Flame Co, coffee from Rescue Coffee, special edition cider bottles from Bulwark, or salt and swag from Tidal Salt, among others.  

If you follow our social media accounts, sometimes you might see amazing partnerships pop up throughout the year where you can buy pet portraits, join us for yoga with puppies, or for Christmas pictures on the waterfront.  

Start your own Fundraiser 

Do you have a birthday coming up? Wedding? Or do you just simply want to give back? You can start your own fundraiser, and we have an online platform where people can easily donate.  

Some people make it a birthday gift, they bake, draw, lemonade stands. The possibilities are endless, and we would love to hear about them.  

Shop at our Thrift Stores

With four stores across the province – Dartmouth, Stellarton, New Minas, and Sydney – you can donate, browse and purr-chase gently-used, pre-loved items. A one-of-a-kind gift! It’s shopping and donating you can feel good about as 100% of the proceeds help local pets. Find the nearest SPCA thrift store to you and stop by today!

Yearly Fundraisers 

We love being a part of yearly events and when that specific time of the year comes around, we’re all giddy. These events happen at specific times of the year, so we encourage you follow our social media accounts to always be on top of dates.  

And right now, we’re in the middle of our Giving Tuesday campaign (December 3-10, 2024). Last year’s Cats vs. Dogs campaign was furry popular with Cats being crowned winners. So you can help us settle this BFF battle by donating to support your team. Donations will be doubled by a matching donor up to $100,000! 

Next year we are looking at Treat Week in February and the Blue Nose Marathon Giv’r Charity Challenge. So, stay tuned for those!  

Lottery 

Our weekly 50/50 raffles truly give back to the community, with the jackpot being shared between a winner and our furry friends. You can buy tickets online for a chance to become our newest winner.  

If you would like to read some stories about past winners and how funds from the raffles help, follow the links below:  

Monthly Donations

If you wish to give year-round, you can become a monthly donor and be a part of our Paw Program. Monthly donors provide loyal support that animals can count on. Giving monthly allows the Nova Scotia SPCA to plan ahead and invest in better long-term solutions. You can choose whatever amount (big or small) that will be safely deducted every month to help pets who need it most. Join the SPCA Paw Program below today to save pets, support families, and strengthen communities.

Leave a Gift in Your Will

Make your love for animals last forever! If you’ve ever experienced a pet’s unconditional love, you can honour them by leaving a gift to the Nova Scotia SPCA in your will. No matter the size, your bequest makes a real difference. From the most basic necessities like food and safety, to veterinary care and lifesaving medicine, your gift gives pets in need the healing they need and the love they deserve.

—-  

We do not receive government funding for our shelter operations. In 2023, we helped over 16,000 pets through different programs. And we were able to do that because of you, our generous community.   

There isn’t only one way to help, so you can choose the way that works for you.  

Because every little helps!  

Happy Paw-lidays!  

Paula Nalbaru

Paula Nalbaru is the Philanthropy Communications Coordinator with the Nova Scotia SPCA in Dartmouth. She’s a proud fur-parent and referee between her dog, Summer, and cat, Marshmallow.

Paws of Trust – Grayson and Josh’s Story

October 22, 2024

By Paula Nalbaru

Peter Pan once said, “All it takes is faith and trust.”  

He wasn’t referring to gaining a cat’s trust, but it works, nonetheless. Especially when the world seems full of big changes that are too scary to go through alone.  

And Grayson and Josh are a true testament to that.  

Grayson, the fluffiest gray cat you might have ever seen, first came into the Pictou SPCA’s care in 2016, as a kitten. Then again in 2022. In between those times, Grayson learned how much he enjoys being an only child.  

So, when he was ready to meet his people, he knew what he was looking for. And in true cat attitude, he chose his person. All the way in Cape Breton.  

Josh always had animals in his life growing up, and he missed having the love a furry friend has to offer. As he was browsing the Nova Scotia SPCA adoption page, he stopped scrolling when he saw a certain cat. 

“When I had seen Grayson on the Pictou branch, he was so handsome but yet there was a tinge of sadness in his photos that drew me to him. The listing had mentioned how he might be a little difficult since he needed an experienced cat owner and a home with no other pets or small children, so I was a pretty good match, I felt,” he remembered.  

Their first meeting proved they were made for each other.  

“He was only up for fostering at the time, and I still wasn’t certain, but later when I had seen he had been listed for adoption, I took that as a sign and took the plunge and called up the Pictou SPCA,” Josh reminisced. “I believe it was the very next day I had booked off and made my way down to meet him. It was certainly an odd meeting, he would rub up against my leg like he wanted to be pet, but then immediately spin around and hiss like I had done something wrong, just standing there. The fine folks at the SPCA assured me he wasn’t normally like this, and I believed them. I could empathize with how stressful his situation must have been moving through the system. After all this, I really wanted to make it work and gave him a shot. I’m really happy I did.” 

After a trip back to Cape Breton, which Grayson wasn’t too fond of, faith and trust entered the chat. With some space and a lot of understanding, Grayson slowly grew comfortable with his new environment showing signs he wanted to be friends with people but being protective of his territory at the same time. A lot of calming pets, barely breathing when he sat on someone’s lap, and all the love in the world showed Grayson he had found his home.  

And now Grayson is an active and affectionate cat. He and Josh share some favourite activities, as Josh confirmed. “Coincidentally, also my favourite. Playing video games. When I’m doing that, I’m lying on the couch and not going anywhere, which means he gets all the lap time he could want, usually with a fluffy blanket. Besides that, he’s a very active cat and really loves it when we play with his toys too. I have so many cat toys now. Also, he really likes to lay in the sun in the picture window, watching the comings and goings of the street and the birds in the yard. It’s not uncommon to see him there or in the cat tree right beside it, waiting for me to come back when I leave.” 

From the shy cat who needed space, Grayson now even has online fans. 

Josh’s roommate, an artist by trade, occasionally streams his art on Twitch, where he chats with followers and shows his work.  

“Grayson has his own computer chair with a cat bed on it so he can ‘work with us’ when either of us are working in the office. Because of that, it became a redeem where folks can pay with free internet points, to turn on a live camera so they can see Grayson sitting in his chair. Sometimes, for a few extra points, they can even give him a treat! The internet as a whole loves cats, so he’s really popular when he shows up,” Josh explained.

There is one particular memory that Josh shared which truly brings to life the idea that faith and trust are sometimes what we need most during the big changes. “During Fiona, I had lost most of my shingles on my roof. One day while sitting in my living room I thought I heard water coming in from the attic again. So, I quickly threw the ladder up and crawled into the attic and past all the attic storage to assess the problem. As I was squeezing past all the storage to get back to the attic access, I heard a tiny bell. There was Grayson, trying to trudge through human knee-height fibreglass insulation to get to me. He had somehow managed to get up the ladder and inside the attic following me. 

Fiberglass insulation is bad for humans, let alone cats. So, I didn’t want him to be ingesting it while cleaning himself after crawling through it. So, he had to get his first bath. This is a special memory because while I expected a large fight, and with me to come away with many scratches, he was so good. He was obviously grumpy about it, but he didn’t attack or hiss. I like to think that’s because he had learned how to trust some more and knew I wasn’t trying to hurt him. The comparison from then to when I had first met him was night and day.”  

A little over two years since these two met and we can safely say their bond blossomed. Now Grayson loves to lead Josh around the house because he knows the right place to be.

And just like their first meeting, Grayson still rubs against his dad’s legs, minus the hissing. The cat-ttude will always be there though.

But there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that this a full-circle moment.  

There are many pets like Grayson across Nova Scotia SPCA shelters who are waiting for that sprinkle of faith and paws of trust. And you might never know how close or how far they are. Visit our adoptions page to view the adorable adoptables and maybe you might find your new furry best friend.

Paula Nalbaru

Paula Nalbaru is the Philanthropy Communications Coordinator with the Nova Scotia SPCA in Dartmouth. She’s a proud fur-parent and referee between her dog, Summer, and cat, Marshmallow.