Author: Paula Nalbaru

Striving for a More Diverse Animal Care Workforce

February 18, 2026

By Creston Rudolph

In 2021, the SPCA opened the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare, a licensed private career college to help address the shortage of veterinary support staff in Nova Scotia.  

To date, the College’s impact on the animal care sector in Nova Scotia has been tremendous. Seventy-two students have graduated from the Veterinary Assistant (VA) program, most of whom went on to accept full-time positions as VAs. This spring, the College’s inaugural Veterinary Technician (VT) program is anticipated to start, which is also expected to have a widespread positive impact on the sector in Nova Scotia.

While the opening of the College is a great step towards improving the state of Nova Scotia’s animal care sector, the SPCA recognizes that its work is far from over. There is a troubling lack of diversity in the animal care community, which is problematic when serving an ever-growing diverse Nova Scotia.    

A diverse workforce is important as it brings varied perspectives, fostering creative problem-solving and leading to better health outcomes for animals. Diverse staff can bridge language gaps and understand cultural or religious nuances in animal care, increasing trust. Finally, it can better tailor services to underserved communities, ensuring that animal welfare resources are available to everyone, regardless of background.  

This past fall, with the help of a generous TELUS Community Board grant, the SPCA launched a new career exploration program focusing on the opportunities available in animal care. It’s a five-week program open to youth ages 12 to 16 from Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities.  

The program gives youth participants a glimpse into some of the different careers that are available in the animal care sector. It helps them understand what courses they need to select in high school if they’re interested in pursuing certain careers in the field after they graduate.  

The desired program outcome is that more youth from underserved communities in Nova Scotia decide to pursue a career in animal care after graduating from high school. As a result, the animal care community will be better able to serve the underrepresented voices in Nova Scotia. 

The program is coordinated by Jacelen David and Marissa Polchis, both graduates of the Nova Scotia SPCA’s College of Animal Welfare VA program and members of the BIPOC community.  

Jacelen was delighted when asked to assist with the coordination of the program. 

“Programs like this are important because they create access for BIPOC youth. There aren’t many of us represented in this field. It helps youth see themselves in careers that maybe they never really imagined themselves being in,” she said. 

When developing the program’s content, their goal was to make the program as educational and engaging as possible.   

“We incorporated a lot of interactive and hands-on activities into the program, so that the participants weren’t sitting and listening all of the time,” said Jacelen.   

They were taken on a private tour of the Dartmouth SPCA Shelter and Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital, where they got to visit areas not accessible to the public. They also got a chance to speak with industry professionals like Dr. Michael West, a licensed Veterinarian, and the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare Director of Veterinary Programs. While meeting with Dr. West, they learned about his day-to-day responsibilities and were given the opportunity to ask questions and share some of their own experiences. He also gave a demonstration on how to remove sutures from an animal undergoing surgery. 

For many of the youth participants, including 13-year-old Khloe, this was a highlight.

“My favourite part of the program was being able to see what goes on behind the scenes at the SPCA. It was interesting to see how they operate and the tools they use to help animals. I also really enjoyed getting to see and hold the animals,” she said.    

In addition to educating participants about the different career opportunities available in animal care, the program teaches participants a variety of practical skills that are beneficial should they decide whether to pursue a career in animal care or not. Some of these skills include learning the principles of responsible pet ownership, how to safely handle a cat and dog and how to read a cat and dog’s body language. Participants used a stuffed dog and cat to practice their safe handling techniques to simulate a real-life experience. 

Khloe thoroughly enjoyed her time in the program and feels that her involvement will benefit her in the future. 

“I’ve always loved animals. Being able to participate in this program was exciting and fun. I think this experience will help me a lot if I decide to pursue a career in animal care.”   

The program successfully wrapped up its fall session in November. Participants of the fall session met at the North Grove in Dartmouth for the first three weeks and at the Nova Scotia SPCA for the final two. The program is being offered again this spring for up to 20 BIPOC youth at the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute in Halifax. 

Jacelen and Marissa are looking forward to welcoming the next group of youth into the program. “I really enjoyed spending time with the youth and learning about what they want to do later in life,” said Jacelyn. 

For information or to register for the upcoming spring session scheduled to start on March 31st, please email: college@spcans.ca. 

Creston Rudolph

Creston is the Associate Director of Campaigns with the Nova Scotia SPCA. He and his partner Terri are proud parents to a cat named Tony (Colchester SPCA alum) and two Shiba Inu dogs named Charlie and Kuma. He loves connecting with SPCA donors to thank them and to let them know how big of an impact their gifts are making.

Sticking Together Forever: Butterscotch and Moo

February 18, 2026

By Kirsten Millar

For Butterscotch and Moo, sticking together has always been a way of life. 

The bonded pair of cats arrived at the Nova Scotia SPCA Cape Breton Shelter on January 16, 2025. At about 10 years old, they came into our care needing a little extra support. Both were overweight and required prescription diets for life. What they never lacked, though, was their love for each other. 

They waited in the shelter for a couple of months, and one lucky day they found their perfect family. 

“I was scrolling through Facebook and just happened to see a post on the Cape Breton Shelter’s page,” says Elyse Boudreau. “The post was really cute and included a description of the cats’ sweet personalities and some adorable pictures of the cats cuddling each other.” 

Elyse told her son they were just going to the shelter ‘to pet some cats.’ But that plan quickly changed. 

“We ended up falling in love with Butterscotch and Moo the minute we laid eyes on them. They were so handsome and charming and totally stole our hearts. Both cats were purring loudly, wanting to be picked up, cuddling into us, and giving us head-butts right away. It was an easy decision that day to adopt these beautiful cats into our family.” 

Butterscotch and Moo went home on March 9 and got to join a home that was already filled with cat love. Two years earlier, Elyse’s family had adopted a young cat from the same shelter named Archie. The cats were slowly introduced to each other, and with some time, they all found their rhythm. 

Today, each cat brings something special to the family.

“Moo is the boss of the bunch. He sets the tone and lets the others know whether he’s in the mood to socialize with them or not,” says Elyse. “But he’s also the most affectionate cat I’ve ever met. His favourite place to be is curled up on our laps. He’s even patient with kids and once let a family friend put him in a blanket and cradle him like a baby doll.” 

Moo also keeps their feeding schedule on track by getting on his humans’ lap and bopping them in the head if they’re late feeding him breakfast. 

Butterscotch is the bold and confident one. “He’s afraid of nothing,” says Elyse. “He’s always up to something, like attempting to steal bacon right from the pan or swatting at the vacuum. He’s also been known to sleep through a smoke alarm.” 

When he’s not being mischievous, Butterscotch is melting hearts with his charming personality and giving his family loving head butts. 

And Archie is affectionately known as the ‘OG kitty.’ He’s calm, patient, and loving. He’s more independent and enjoys his alone time as much as getting pats from his family. But he also loves to play – especially chasing his human brother around the house with a string toy. 

“Archie is always the first one to come running to greet us at the door when we get home,” says Elyse. 

While the trio has happily settled into their life together, the bond between Butterscotch and Moo remains strong. 

“Butterscotch and Moo were inseparable when we first brought them home,” says Elyse. “They often napped together and weren’t ever out of each other’s sight.” 

Even now, Moo will groom the top of Butterscotch’s head or curl up beside him. The family makes sure they travel together to vet visits and to their grandparents’ house. They’re never apart for long. 

“These three very special cats have brought so much joy, warmth, and playfulness into our family’s life. It’s such a treat to hear them purring happily and know that we were able to give them all a new forever home. It really feels as though Butterscotch, Moo, and Archie were always meant to be a part of our family.” 

And if she could offer advice to someone considering adopting a bonded pair of older cats?

“I would absolutely recommend adopting a bonded pair. It’s been so much fun seeing the connection they share and witnessing their tenderness for each other. It’s also been really rewarding and heartwarming knowing that Butterscotch and Moo will continue to be best friends forever. We’re just so grateful these lovable fur-babies came into our lives.” 

Butterscotch and Moo were always meant to stick together, and now they get to do it with a new family who promises to always stick with them, too. 

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.

Rocky Leaves His Past Behind

January 20, 2026

By Judy Layne

He was abandoned and left outdoors in a locked kennel. He had no food or water. Six endless days went by. Would someone come to rescue him before it was too late?  

Rocky’s prayers were answered on June 6th, 2023, when SPCA Enforcement Officers came to save him. They brought him to the SPCA’s Dartmouth Shelter, where he was immediately seen by a veterinarian. Rocky was very thin, badly dehydrated and had inflamed feet due to standing in his own urine and fecal matter for so long. He was then taken to the Kings Shelter, where he would continue to get much needed medical attention for over a month.   

When Rocky arrived at the shelter, he was understandably scared and shut down emotionally. Initially, he hid at the back of his kennel facing the wall.  But after several days of food, care and love, he began to open up and show people the sweet dog was; a dog who just wanted love.   

And there was a special someone waiting to give Rocky the love he deserved. Enter the amazing Jessica Hannam, Manager of both the SPCA Kings and Yarmouth Shelters. Jessica and her husband Sean had rescued several dogs over the years and had always had a soft spot for the Bully breeds. Jessica shared “There cannot be enough said for the love, trust and devotion they give when part of a family. When we saw Rocky’s sweet face, big French Bulldog head and soulful eyes begging for love, we just couldn’t resist making him a part of our family! And on July 11th, 2023, we adopted him and made our commitment to love him forever official!”

Four year old Rocky immediately made himself at home and had an instant bond with his two new canine siblings. Sean related “Rocky absolutely adores his brothers! Tank is a miniature pitbull who we rescued at 3 days old and Deisel is a pitbull we adopted from the Kings shelter over 10 years ago. Tank and Rocky are quite a bit younger than Diesel so they cause the most ruckus around the house!” 

There were a few learning curves for Rocky, given his past. Jessica said “A big one was learning how to poop. Given that he had likely spent most of his life in a kennel with limited space, he would initially turn in very small circles to poop, stepping in it and ultimately having to have mom wipe his bum for him. But over time, Rocky eventually realized he had an entire yard to roam free in to do his business! Another learning curve was learning what toys are. Poor Rocky had never had any toys. The excitement that came over him when he got his first toy was such a joy to experience. Rocky would light right up, running around trying to get his brothers to play with him…which they always did!”  

Fast forward to today. Rocky is definitely thriving in his forever home. Jessica chuckled “He LOVES laying outside in the grass sunbathing and enjoys napping on a comfy dog bed snuggled up with his brothers. BUT… his favorite thing in the entire world is to be on my husband Sean’s lap, flipped on his back, getting continuous belly rubs! He is a 70-pound lapdog living his best life!” 

Rocky fills the couple’s days with smiles and laughter. Jessica said “Rocky enjoys going for walks, but once he has decided he has had enough, he will lay down on the trail and refuse to go any further, and I mean REFUSE…….He lays down, stretches out and proceeds to have a nap, leaving my husband Sean having to carry him the rest of the way home…all 70 pounds of him!” 

Rocky has had a profound impact on the couple’s life. They shared “Adopting Rocky has brought an unexpected kind of love and grounding into our family. He didn’t just become another pet, he became family. Rocky has taught us patience, presence, and the beauty of unconditional love and loyalty. On days when life feels overwhelming, he reminds us to slow down, to breathe, and to find joy in the simplest moments, like a walk, a wagging “nubbin” (Rocky has no tail), or just in his quiet companionship. Adopting Rocky didn’t just change his life, it changed ours in ways we didn’t know we needed.”

And Jessica’s final thoughts? ”Shelter dogs have a lot of love to give and Bully / Pitbull breeds are not always people’s first choice when looking for a great family dog. After working for the SPCA for 6 years, seeing these funny, charismatic, amazing, sweet dogs be passed over time and time again, I would like to say a huge thank you to those who have opened their hearts and homes to them……I bet you cannot imagine your life without them!” 

Please give other homeless animals like Rocky a chance to live the life they deserve. Donate today. 

Judy Layne

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

Seeing the World Differently: Daphne’s Story

January 20, 2026

By Kirsten Millar

Sometimes, help arrives when it’s needed most, and if you’re brave enough to accept it, life can turn out better than you ever imagined. 

When Daphne first arrived at the Cape Breton SPCA shelter as an eight-week-old kitten, she was already blind due to complications from feline herpes and needed surgery to remove both of her eyes. After a month-long recovery and lots of care from staff, Daphne was ready to find her forever home and was posted on the Nova Scotia SPCA adoption webpage. 

Maya, a busy university student, wasn’t actively looking to adopt another cat. But in her spare time, she enjoyed scrolling through the SPCA’s adoption page and that’s where she first laid eyes on Daphne. “I saw this photo of her with a really cute bumblebee bandana, which I later found out was donated by a local crafter, Handmade by Sarah Jean,” says Maya. “It pulled at my heartstrings and I immediately filled out an adoption application.” 

After receiving a call from the SPCA and learning that Daphne had received a lot of interest but was still available, Maya and her partner made the drive from Bedford to Sydney the following morning. “There were moments of doubt on the way over,” says Maya. “But as soon as I met her, all that doubt melted away. It felt like it was meant to be.”

From the start, Maya knew Daphne was blind and had both eyes removed. “At the time, I was working at a long-term care facility and cared for a woman who was blind,” she says. “She inspired me a lot, so I didn’t see Daphne’s blindness as a limitation to a life full of joy.” 

That didn’t mean there weren’t concerns. Maya worried about Daphne’s safety – how she would navigate stairs, hard surfaces, and find her food and litter box. And how their other cat, Oreo, would react. Still, those worries weren’t enough to deter her. “I grew up with cats, and I knew how resilient they were. I knew it would take time, but I trusted that we’d find our rhythm.” 

When Daphne first came home, she stayed in the bathroom while slowly being introduced to Oreo. They had supervised playtime, and Daphne explored the house while Oreo stayed in another room. “Eventually, I trusted that Oreo would be gentle enough with Daphne and didn’t need supervision.” 

Looking back, Maya says she was probably more nervous than necessary. “Daphne was truly a force,” she says. “Everyone jokes that she has echolocation because she chirps sometimes when she walks around.” 

Daphne adjusted quickly, learning her surroundings within days. “She bumped into things a couple times, but after a few days she had the whole place mapped out,” says Maya. “She did fall into the toilet twice when people forgot to close the lid, but she adapted, and it hasn’t happened since.” 

Not only has Daphne learned to navigate life indoors, but exploring outdoors has quickly become one of her favourite things. With patience, Maya trained her to wear a harness and ride in a stroller. When her first spring arrived, Daphne became even braver by exploring on a leash.  

“She has her moments,” Maya says. “Sometimes she gets spooked by unfamiliar noises or doesn’t want to leave the stroller. But for the most part, she enjoys our walks, hikes, and road trips.” 

Maya experienced a moment that changed everything when they were visiting her family out of town. “My mom has two cats that are best friends with Oreo. The three of them would spend the summer days outside running and climbing trees in the yard. Daphne knew she was missing out because she’d sit near the front door and try to get out.”  

Without telling Maya, her mom let Daphne out to play with the cats without her leash but with close supervision. “She took a video and only showed it to me later because she knew I wouldn’t have agreed to it. But that video made me realize just how capable Daphne was as I watched her having fun chasing after the other cats and basking in the sun,” says Maya. “If you didn’t know she was blind, you’d think she had eyes. That was the moment I realized that Daphne’s only limitation was me.” 

Today, Daphne lives a life full of adventure. “I rarely do things without thinking about how I can incorporate Daphne into it,” says Maya. Road trips, beach and lake days, walks, hikes, sleepovers, and even playing fetch – Daphne does it all. She also loves her cat wheel, water fountains, burrowing in blankets, and taking off on her wheel at 2 a.m. 

Daphne shared a special bond with her cat brother, Oreo, who sadly passed away last year. “He was the best big brother she could’ve had,” says Maya. “He was so patient and loving. Even when he seemed uninterested, Oreo always made space for Daphne by sharing beds, grooming her, and quietly looking out for her. After we lost him, Daphne grieved deeply and became very clingy. Nearly a year later, she’s found her footing again.”

Looking back, Daphne has taught Maya some lasting lessons. “She’s shown me that love truly knows no bounds,” she says. “She taught me that trust is built through patience and consistency, and that resilience isn’t about changing your surroundings, but it’s about finding your own way within them.”  

For anyone considering adopting an animal with special needs, Maya offers this advice: “It can bring some of the most amazing love into your life. It’s incredibly rewarding, but it also takes learning, patience, and understanding what their care really involves.” 

Daphne’s story is a reminder that sometimes a little help and a lot of love can change a shelter pet’s life – and their owner’s life – for the best.  

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.

Pebble’s Long Journey Home

January 20, 2026

By Kathryn Gatien

The road to happiness isn’t always an easy one. Pebble knows that better than anyone. She was frightened of everything, struggling with her health, and battling allergies. It would take a patient and experienced adopter to help Pebble thrive. She came to the North Nova SPCA shelter in 2022 and by December 2024 was still waiting patiently for that special person.  

Luckily, she wouldn’t have to wait much longer. Audrey, a veterinarian with three cats, was looking for a dog to share outdoor activities with. Audrey had grown up with all kinds of animals, but especially dogs. Her family always chose the dogs with the most difficult history and the ones that were the hardest for shelters to adopt out. They had adopted a Chow Chow, Pittie x Rottweiler mix, German Shepherds, a Shih Tzu, a Chihuahua, and a Cattle dog mix. Her family also had cats, a rabbit, and some fish. With Audrey’s history and her knowledge as a veterinarian, it’s hard not to think that she and Pebble were destined for each other.  

Audrey decided to stop by the North Nova SPCA one day in January 2025 while visiting family in the area. There were two dogs available for adoption. One was a smaller senior dog who didn’t get along with cats. The other was Pebble. The first time Audrey saw her, she was trembling in the back of her kennel. The sight broke Audrey’s heart, but that didn’t deter her. She asked for a meeting with Pebble in the meet and greet room.  

Initially, Pebble wasn’t interested in Audrey. She was looking out the door for the people who were caring for her at the time. But Audrey knew Pebble just needed time to adjust to her. So, she sat with Pebble for a while, until she started coming up to her and licking her. Pebble was still nervous and would growl at sudden movements or touches. But by the end of the meeting, Audrey was confident in how well they got along that she asked about adopting her. She knew that no matter what, they would be able to handle whatever challenges were thrown at them. 

The first few weeks with Pebble weren’t easy. Audrey needed to figure out how to improve Pebble’s health and find ways to work around her fear and uncertainty of the treatments that would help her heal. She was frightened of baths, getting her nails trimmed, ears cleaned, and wipe downs. Audrey recalled Pebble’s health issues. “At first, her entire neck was bald, and she’d have ear infections every other week and diarrhea. Being a veterinarian, I did some research and got her on some probiotics, parasite prevention, medicated shampoos, baths, and a twice-weekly ear solution.” As a result, Pebble has a full coat, no more ear infections; her allergies are under control, and she is better at being pampered. 

Pebble has made the perfect hiking/activity partner for Audrey. Hiking has become one of Pebble’s favourite activities. At almost five years old, she can still go on a two-hour hike and have energy to burn. The two also enjoy swimming and working on training commands. But cuddling takes the top spot for favourite activity. They’ll curl up in bed at the end of the day and have a long, therapeutic snuggle.  

Now, a year after they first met, Pebble is a different dog. She made the move from Nova Scotia to British Columbia with Audrey and her partner. She’s friends with Audrey’s three cats. Pebble spends most of her time outside exploring her acreage and playing with her best friend, the neighbour’s young Mastiff. For Audrey, “Pebble is my ride or die. I couldn’t imagine my world without her in it. I couldn’t have asked for a better dog and friend.” 

Audrey and her partner made the decision recently to make another addition to their furry family. They adopted a 15-week-old puppy named Chunk. As soon as they brought Chunk home, Pebble became like a mother to him. No longer timid and fearful, she has become patient and loving. In Audrey’s own words, “Sometimes Chunk likes to hang on and dangle from her neck rolls.” It’s here that Audrey believes Pebble’s patience shines as she’ll simply look at her with an expression that reads as “Mom, the baby is being annoying again.” While Pebble has enthusiastically taken on the job of mentoring Chunk, the puppy has decided to take it upon himself to bring out Pebble’s playful side.  

Adoption is never easy, and you never truly know what you’re getting into. But at the end of the day, the reward is worth the risk. As Pebble has shown Audrey, “Don’t pick an animal based on their pictures or description. Go visit the shelter in person. The dog will pick you, and they’ll be right every time.” 

Kathryn Gatien

Kathryn Gatien is a Development Officer at the Nova Scotia SPCA. Her love of animals comes from her two dogs she had growing up, one of which was an SPCA alumni. Their memories drive her passion about helping other pets find their loving homes.

Dashing into a New Life

January 20, 2026

By Paula Nalbaru

It was the spookiest day of the year. The silence crept into every corner of the shelter.  

Actually, it’s not entirely true. It was Halloween, yes, but as in any animal shelter, the Colchester SPCA was filled with the sounds of barks, purrs, footsteps, greetings, the scratching of pens on paper, and more.  

A normal symphony for a Thursday. And a normal day for Olivia, who regularly visited the shelter to offer love and attention to furry friends.  

On this particular day in 2024, Olivia and her friends stopped by to drop off some toys, and as always, she insisted on visiting the animals. She missed having a pet around when she moved to Nova Scotia to attend university, so this was a great alternative. 

A few days before, Venom and his siblings were surrendered at the Colchester SPCA and were patiently waiting for their people.  

When Olivia walked into the adoption room, she first cuddled Venom’s sister. But there was something about Venom that told Olivia she might have found her furry companion. And that instinct was right. From the first moment Olivia held him, they became inseparable.  

“After first picking him up, I didn’t put him down until it was time to go in the box to go home. All the staff were always incredibly helpful and kind and made this experience adopting my first animal on my own super easy and stress-free,” Olivia remembered.

Papers were signed, information was shared, and Olivia and Venom were ready to start their new chapter. But Halloween has its ways to show us why it is the spookiest day of the year.  

Like most cats, Venom proved to be an escape artist. In the car, he managed to escape the box and hide in a hole in the dashboard of the car. In a rush, mechanics and firefighters were called, and the car was taken apart piece by piece.  

“I cried thinking I was the world’s worst mother. Everyone tried to reassure me that this was not my fault, but I felt awful that this little baby was all alone in there. A few hours later, they were able to get him out, and they all started putting the car back together. From that point on, I would not let go of the tiny little venom that weighed 1.8 kilograms,” Olivia said. “It was from this awful experience (for me, ‘Venom’ was napping and barely noticed he was causing such a situation) that ‘Venom’ quickly became Dash.” 

With the scary days behind him and with a new name, Dash didn’t waste any time making his new home his kingdom. Once in the apartment, he explored every nook and cranny, found his favourite spots, and settled into supporting all university students who needed it. 

Cats have an unwarranted reputation for their social boundaries. But Dash had quickly rewritten all the rules.  

Olivia described him as “very social”, a cat who loves to meet new people and make friends. “He greets complete strangers with love and affection, he will sit with you while you cry, even if he doesn’t know you, and he will wipe your tears. He can also distract you; he will play for hours with any type of toy.”  

So, it’s no surprise that one of his favourite things to do is sit in the window and watch people come and go. “When his human friends pass him in the window, they will call out, ‘Hi Dash!’ and he always meows back or starts purring because he loves his people,” Olivia related.  

On that list of favourite things, there’s food, especially those tube treats, spring toys, walks on his leash and chasing leaves. “He is a bit of a spoiled diva, but also a cuddly angel that has his zoomies moments. When he is particularly ‘crazy,’ I like to say that Venom is coming out,” Olivia added. 

While he is an easy-going cat, Dash has a list of dislikes, too. His FOMO (fear of missing out) is super high on that list. But there’s one you don’t hear often. Olivia explained, “He also really dislikes when people sneeze and will glare at them until they stop and apologize to him, which he normally replies to with a huff.”  

Olivia and Dash have made a lot of memories together in such a short time. They have travelled, made new friends, and studied together. “Having Dash in my life has improved my mental health significantly. He is exactly what I needed, and I could not have asked for a more perfect companion. Dash is always a joy to come back to my room after a long and draining day. He has taught me so much,” Olivia said.  

Our furry friends do teach us a lot about unconditional love, patience, and being in the present. Just like Dash, other kittens, puppies, young at heart cats and dogs, and critters are waiting for their person in shelters across the province. Our amazing staff is caring for them until you find each other.  

And Olivia said it best, “These adoptable animals are amazing and full of love, they are ready to share with you. The staff at the SPCA is always super helpful, and they walk you through the whole process and are there if you have any questions. To the staff, thank you for everything you do for these animals, without you they wouldn’t be given the chance to find their forever homes, they wouldn’t get the love and affection you provide for them. The time and effort you put in is noticed, and we appreciate you all so much!” 

Paula Nalbaru

Paula Nalbaru is the Philanthropy Communications Coordinator with the Nova Scotia SPCA. Her work and writing are inspired by the love and lessons her doggo Summer brought into her life, while her cat Marshmallow continues to bring light and laughter to her home.