Author: Paula Nalbaru

Healing Hands, Loving Heart: How Jesse Saved Tuna

September 17, 2025

By Kirsten Millar

When Tuna Casserole first arrived at the North Nova Shelter in October 2024, she was in rough shape. The young cat was dehydrated, emaciated and covered in scabs. Despite her condition, she remained gentle and affectionate, curling up on a heating pad at the Stellarton Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital, and allowing staff to care for her. 

“It felt like she knew we were trying to help her,” remembers Registered Veterinary Technician, Jesse Feuer. 

Jesse has been a vet tech for four years and always dreamed of working with animals. She saw first-hand how Tuna’s health was struggling in the shelter. Tuna continued to have bad skin issues, even though all her tests came back negative. She also began to act very depressed and lethargic. 

Tuna needed twice-daily steroids and medicated baths. “I felt like she wasn’t doing well in the shelter environment, so I offered to take her home and continue her treatments,” says Jesse.

Jesse welcomed her new foster into her home where she lived with her husband and her other cat, Perogie, who was adopted from the Toronto Humane Society when Jesse worked there previously. 

At first, Jesse kept Tuna in the guest bathroom to give Perogie time to adjust. Gradually, the two cats started spending supervised time together. “I didn’t think I could adopt her if they weren’t showing signs of getting along,” says Jesse.  

Even though Perogie wasn’t crazy about Tuna at first, they began warming up to each other and Perogie stopped hissing at Tuna and avoiding her. “Then one day, Tuna fetched a toy I threw and brought it back. In that moment, I knew I had to have her,” says Jesse. 

Jesse officially adopted Tuna in February 2025. With her support, Tuna was able to recover, and her personality got to shine through.  

“When she first came to live with us, she wasn’t feeling her best, so her personality was muted. As she started feeling better, she became a lot more kitten-like,” says Jesse. “Now she’s 100% better and has finally started to shed. Because of her skin issues, she didn’t have enough hair to shed it until now!” 

These days, Tuna is happy and thriving. She and Perogie have become the best of friends, and they play together all the time and sneak in cuddles when no one’s watching. She’s even helping Perogie lose some weight by keeping him active while they play.

“She’s especially close with my husband, which is good because Perogie is definitely ‘my cat’ and now he has a cat of his own,” says Jesse. “She likes to come nap with us and some of our favourite memories involve her passing out in our arms.” 

Tuna has also developed some adorable quirks: she loves to carry her toys around and deposit them in the litterbox or by the water bowl, and she makes the classic “ekekek” sounds at birds outside on the balcony.  

For Jesse, watching Tuna’s transformation has been deeply rewarding. “I can’t believe she’s the same cat that came into the shelter, and neither can most people I tell her story to. I’m so happy that I was able to help her the way I did, and it reminds me of why I do this job.” 

Thanks to the care she received at the SPCA’s North Nova Shelter, the team at Stellarton Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital, and Jesse’s dedication, Tuna Casserole now has the happy, healthy life she deserves, filled with playtime, cuddles, and unconditional love. 

Tartan Tails is a local veterinary hospital with three locations in Nova Scotia, and they’re accepting new patients. Learn more: www.tartantailsvet.ca.

 

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.

Life is Better with a Cat: Chris and Ripp’s Story

September 17, 2025

By Joel Boyce

Cats make a house a home. 

For Chris Hersey, his place felt empty without a cat – a home was never complete without the sound of paws on the floor and the occasional meow. 

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Chris has lived all over Canada, but no matter where life took him, one thing stayed constant: there was always a cat by his side. After his last beloved companion of 19 years passed, Chris thought he needed a break. But the people who knew him best disagreed. 

“After a while, people were saying to me that I needed a cat,” Chris laughed. “People threatened to bring me a cat. I guess the world isn’t right unless I have a cat.” 

For Chris, cats aren’t just pets – they’re therapy with whiskers. Over the years, cats have been his steady companions through life’s highs and lows, offering calm with a simple curl on his lap or the rhythmic hum of a purr. Their quiet presence is grounding, like a warm reminder that everything will be okay. 

Turns out, the world wasn’t right without Ripp.

Ripp is no ordinary feline. At 11 years old and a solid 15 pounds, this black-and-brown tabby shorthair mix is built like a tank but moves with the confidence of a king. 

“He doesn’t look overweight. He’s just a solid cat,” Chris explained proudly. 

And he has a big personality. 

Shelter staff knew Ripp well – his size, his quirks, and his signature stare made him hard to forget. But as days turned into months, the big cat patiently waited, healing from his surgeries and watching visitors pass him by. One of those surgeries left him with a perpetual squint, giving him a trademark “judging look” – something Chris says is a little too reminiscent of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson raising an eyebrow. 

When Chris went looking for an older cat who had already been through the kitten chaos, Ripp was waiting. And when Ripp locked eyes with Chris’s teenage son, the choice was clear: this was family. 

From the moment they brought him home in January 2023, Ripp made it clear he wasn’t just settling in – he was taking charge. He spent the afternoon exploring, picking out his “Sheldon spot” in every room (yes, like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory). And, perhaps most importantly, he decided his teenager required constant supervision. 

“He was doing as much figuring out of us as we were of him,” Chris said. 

It didn’t take long for Ripp to appoint himself the household supervisor, maybe convinced the family would fall apart without his watchful eye. 

Now, Ripp lives his best life as a proud indoor cat. Chris jokes that his name probably came from the little tear in his ear, a reminder of his outdoor days, but today he’s more “reformed gentleman” than scrappy street cat. He meets Chris at the door every day, and if Chris dares take too long, Ripp will be at the window giving that look. 

He’s food-driven, keeps strict meal times, and believes that Chris’s alarm clock should go off at 5 a.m. – even on weekends or holidays. He’s also claimed a cardboard veggie tray as his personal window bed, and no piece of holiday tissue paper survives his reign.

“He always wants to be part of what’s happening,” Chris said. “We just love him to death. He’s part of the family, and he doesn’t let you forget it.” 

For Chris, bringing Ripp home wasn’t just adoption – it was destiny fulfilled. 

And for Ripp, it was the happy ending he’d been waiting for: a family of his very own, complete with comfy spots, cardboard veggie trays, and endless love – proof that sometimes the perfect match really does walk through the door. 

 

Joel Boyce

Joel Boyce is a Communications & Development Officer at the Nova Scotia SPCA. With a passion for storytelling and visual communication, Joel brings the mission of the SPCA to life through compelling narratives and creative content. Outside of work, Joel is a proud father of three beautiful girls and a playful border collie-golden retriever mix named Hazel.

Three Times the Love: The Powerpuff Girls

September 17, 2025

By Judy Layne

When Morgan and her partner Aaron arrived at the SPCA Yarmouth Shelter on August 25th last year, they never thought they would be leaving with three adorable kittens!   

They had originally planned on adopting one kitten as company for their rescue cat Gus. When Morgan saw Bubble’s little face on the SPCA website with her paw reaching out, it was love at first sight and she knew that Bubbles was the one. Then as they continued to scroll through adoption photos, they saw an identical white cat and found out that Bubbles had a twin sister – Blossom. They decided then and there to adopt both of them.   

The couple drove four hours from New Glasgow to Yarmouth, excited to meet the two kittens who would become their fur-babies. Morgan recalled “Upon arrival, we discovered that there was a THIRD litter mate – Buttercup. All three kittens were loving and friendly. They climbed on our shoulders for a better view of things. And they gave us their best ‘take me home’ sales pitch with sweet little purrs. We knew right away without any words being spoken that we wouldn’t be separating them. We simply couldn’t leave one behind.”

The three Powerpuff Girls adapted easily to their new home. “As soon as they arrived, they ran around and chased each other,” said Morgan. “They did zoomies the entire night, making up for the time they spent vegging at the SPCA! We laid and listened to three sets of tiny paws playing non-stop in their new home. It was a great feeling of fulfillment and content knowing that the three of them would be together for the rest of their lives.”

The couple’s rescue cat Gus was a bit standoffish at first, hissing and setting boundaries. Aaron chuckled “Gus was gentle though, as he knew they were small. It’s been a year since we got the kittens and they’re finally getting big enough that they can hold their own when playing with Gus.” 

The couple decided to give the kittens new names for their new life – Blossom is now Daisy, Bubbles is Sophie and Buttercup is Mittens. But the kittens do resemble their namesake trio because they never go anywhere without each other.  Morgan laughed “They always travel as a group around the house like a pack of mini lions.” 

These days, the kittens like to spend time outside watching birds and squirrels in the beautiful outdoor cat run/catio that Aaron built. They love swatting and chasing small paper balls around the house more than their catnip toys, fake mice or strings.   

The kittens’ journey started long before they found their loving home. They were part of the Prevent Unplanned Pregnancies (PUP) program at the NS SPCA. The program is designed to prevent accidental litters by offering free spay surgeries for momma cats and dogs, while also ensuring that their kittens and puppies receive veterinary care and find new loving homes. It’s still kitten season and if people find themselves with too many tiny paws and don’t know what to do, they can contact the SPCA for help.

August 25th was the one-year anniversary of the kittens’ ‘Gotcha Day.’  “To celebrate the occasion, we bought them all new catnip toys (even though they prefer paper balls!) and treated them to a nice tuna supper with some extra love,” said Aaron.  

The trio of little paws has definitely enriched the couple’s lives. “They have brought so much joy and companionship to us. They give us a ton of love. When we come home, we are filled with happiness to see their little faces looking out the window, just as excited to see us as we are to see them.” 

Morgan’s advice for prospective pet parents? Be prepared. “We did a number of things prior to adopting the kittens. We bought extra cat dishes and toys, made sure there were no flowers or plants in the house that are toxic to cats like lilies and tulips, and moved all the other plants and breakable things to a spot where they wouldn’t be knocked over (they still were!). We also told Gus that he was getting sisters.” 

Morgan’s wise counsel for people adopting more than one pet at a time? Be patient. “It’s a long-term commitment, one that requires a bit more effort, unconditional love and a little humor to get through any challenging moments. Food goes faster, litter boxes need to be changed more often, and mealtimes need to be supervised since one kitty may try to eat their sibling’s favorite food.” 

But the reward?  “The love we get in return is priceless. It’s worth everything!” 

The couple also has a special plea for people thinking of adopting a cat or kitten with a litter mate.  “Please consider adopting them both! Oftentimes, people will only adopt one of the cats. It breaks our hearts thinking about the litter mates getting separated. They spend the first few months of their lives in a small enclosure after being rescued and all they know and have is each other. It’s very sad to think about being the last kitty left behind wondering where your brothers and sisters went. Consider keeping them together! I know that keeping our girls together has enhanced their quality of life just as much as it has enhanced ours.”  

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The kittens’ story reminds us that every pet deserves a loving home – and every pet parent deserves the resources to help them succeed. Thanks to the NS SPCA shelters, Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital, and many initiatives like the PUP program, more animals like the kittens can find their happily-ever-after. You can also help. Please 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.

When Art Tells the Story

September 17, 2025

By Sarah Lyon

Sophie Amaral, 18, can’t remember when she started doing art, because it’s just always been part of her life. Her mom, Lesley, remembers the first time she and her husband realized that Sophie was born with artistic talent. “We took her to see a school play, and she was in grade one, maybe two, early elementary school,” says Lesley. “It was the Wizard of Oz, and she came home and drew a scene, and you could tell it was exactly from the play. You could see the characters that this child has drawn, that I as an adult couldn’t!”  

As she grew up, no surface was safe from her drawings. Scrap paper, notebooks, and, if her parents had mistakenly left any important documents lying around, on those, too.

It wasn’t too long before she started asking her parents, “Can you go to school for art?” And as mom Lesley says, “she has been on the path of being an artist ever since.” When Sophie entered high school, she had the opportunity to take an advanced art course. It was more than learning about art; it was about making art. After years of doodling and drawing cartoons, she tried new mediums like charcoal portraits and oil-painted fruit in this course.

In grade 10, through a youth program at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, Sophie responded to a call for artists for a new art installation at Halifax’s Scotia Square Mall. This was her first attempt at Indigenous Art – and it was chosen to be on the building.

“I started to think about college,” says Sophie. “I wanted to continue my dream of a career as an artist.” At the same time, Sophie was becoming increasingly interested in how her love of art and her identity as a Mi’kmaw woman intersected.

Sophie lives in Nova Scotia and is from the Miawpukek First Nation, located at the mouth of the Conne River on the south coast of Newfoundland. This year, she learned a new form of art by designing dance regalia and proudly wearing that design when she danced in her very first Powwow in her community. “I used my favourite colour, pink,” says Sophie. “I added Mi’kmaq elements such as the double curve motifs, eight point star, L’nuk symbol, and a hieroglyph meaning create.”

The Miawpukek Band Council sees Sophie’s talent and is financially supporting her educational journey. “Indigenous art is a form of storytelling, and I really wanted to explore that as part of Indigenous culture,” says Sophie. Exploring that has taken her from the East Coast to Toronto, where this month, she started her second year at OCAD University in the four-year Indigenous Visual Culture program.

“School has really helped me to connect with my culture,” says Sophie. “There is a great community of Indigenous students here, and we are learning our history through art.”

Back home in Nova Scotia this summer to spend time with her parents, three cats, and her dog, she was approached for her first-ever commissioned piece of art. The Nova Scotia SPCA was seeking an image to symbolize the organization’s commitment to truth and reconciliation that could be displayed on staff orange shirts or online.  

“I was so excited to be asked,” smiles Sophie. “I visited the Dartmouth site and had a tour of not just the shelter, but also Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital and the Nova Scotia College of Animal Welfare. I learned more about how the SPCA is helping animals in many ways.”

Sophie took to her tablet to start creating an image – and ended up drawing three. The night before she was to present her designs, as she was reviewing them, she thought about all that she had learned on the tour, and a fourth drawing came to mind. It was that drawing that brought staff at the SPCA to tears, and ultimately, it is the one that you will see in shelters, hospitals, and thrift stores.

From Sophie, on her design:

  “We start with the main focus, which is the dancer in the middle. She is wearing a jingle dress and doing a healing dance. I chose this because of the work the SPCA does across the organization.

The jingle dress symbolizes the spirit of healing. It came in a dream to a grandfather who was worried because his granddaughter was sick. He woke up and made the dress. His granddaughter put it on and got better.

The dancer is holding a fan, sending prayers for those who are sick, to the creator.

Looking up at her dancing, there is a dog and a cat. Animals have their own ceremonies, so they are not dancing in the art, but animals are important in Indigenous art, and the SPCA helps heal a lot of cats and dogs, so it was important to include them.

Wrapping around the image is a floral border that shows our connectedness to nature. In the florals, you will see the double curve motif, which is used in a lot of Mi’kmaq designs, and which looks like tulips to me.”

The almost 200 staff members at the Nova Scotia SPCA will be wearing orange shirts for National Truth and Reconciliation Day with Sophie’s design on them. Something that the young artist still can’t believe. “I am so excited to see people wearing my art, and I am so glad I got to do this with the SPCA.”

The Nova Scotia SPCA is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. We recognize that our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation goes beyond wearing an orange t-shirt; reconciliation is ongoing and needs to be incorporated into every day of the year.

Learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation report Reports – NCTR.

 

 

Sarah Lyon

Sarah is the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer 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.

The Love of a Lifetime: Ruby’s Adoption Tail

August 20, 2025

By Paula Nalbaru

Just like people, pets know when they love the only child lifestyle, or when a sibling or two would fill life with more adventures.  

When Keely and Alex’s dog, Hudson, found himself away from his four-legged uncle, he found that being spoiled was great. But he knew something was missing. His fur parents realized Hudson needed the type of attention he could only get from another canine friend, so they started looking.  

The couple of meetings with other adoptables didn’t work out. But they didn’t give up. They knew somewhere out there, the perfect dog would find them. 

Ruby ended up in the care of the Nova Scotia SPCA at the Yarmouth Shelter in the Spring of 2023. But when months passed and she was still waiting for her loving home, she was moved to the Kings Shelter.  

And what a good decision that was.  

Because one day in July 2023, when Keely and Alex were browsing the Nova Scotia SPCA adoption page, Ruby’s big smile popped up.  

“From her information, she seemed like she would be a perfect fit for us,” Keely remembered. “We went one day to see her. She loved me immediately. She was extremely timid and skittish at first, but once she realized I was safe and she could trust me, she clung to me.” 

Ruby was a little more cautious with Alex as she was cautious around men, but the couple knew that with a lot of patience, love and work, her confidence would only go up from there. About their second visit, Keely said, “We brought her a stuffed toy, a Build-A-Bear we had for our current dog Hudson, so she could have ours and his scents with her while we arranged a meet with Hudson before they allowed us to officially adopt her.” 

After what the staff called one of the greatest meetings between the two dogs, Ruby and her new family left the Kings Shelter, a little nervous, but very excited and ready for a new start.  

A start that Ruby decided she wasn’t going to take too much time to get used to. She settled in as soon as she got home, making the place hers instantaneously. “My husband slept with her separately for a week before we integrated her into our bedtime with Hudson. That allowed her to bond with Alex, as previously said, she was extremely timid and unsure of men. He said she slept so deeply that night, he had to make sure she was still alive, he shook her to wake her, and she was so deeply asleep she wouldn’t wake up,” Keely said.  

Despite that, Ruby took a little while to realize her new home was there to stay. When I interviewed Keely, she told me, “For a few weeks, I do think she thought we would bring her back. Every time we got in the car, she would look at us like her heart was breaking. That finally abated, though.” 

And her fur siblings helped a lot. The couple raved about Ruby and how easily she fell in love with the cats in the home, how motherly she is with them, and how she and Hudson became BFFs immediately. “We started to integrate her into our world of off-leash walks in the wilderness, beach days and exploring the Maritimes. She is a fantastic exploration adventure dog,” they continued.  

In two years, Ruby has come a long way, and her full personality has come out. Her fur parents took a DNA test, and the results were as expected. They described it as 49% German Shepherd stage 5 clinger, 33% Maremma and 18% Great Pyrenees.  

One moment, she would make friends with other animals, herd her brother, Hudson, while he plays fetch, snooze on the back deck, sit in a chair like a human, enjoy a beach day, love all foods she’s allowed to eat, car rides, and be with her humans. 

Other times, the zoomies start, preferably with a stick in her mouth, she tries to counter surf, dig holes where she can, and in true sibling fashion, show her brother who is in charge.  

Keely talked about where they’ve taken Ruby so far and some of their favourite things to do together. “Hiking, adventuring, we aren’t originally from this area (military couple!), so we love exploring the province and falling more in love with it. We also took her to New Brunswick, PEI, Quebec, and Ontario. She is also the BEST cuddler, she doesn’t believe she’s 90lbs, she in fact thinks she’s a lap dog. She would crawl inside of us if she could. If she doesn’t get enough love and affection, she will promptly sit her butt down in front of or beside you and put her paw on you repeatedly. If you still ignore her, she will bark! She’s so quirky.”  

But all these amazing times took time, patience and love from all sides. The couple highlighted how much research they have done to understand Ruby’s breed and to understand her.  

Their advice? “Do your research, it is so important to know every and all of the information needed in these situations. You need to know the animal’s needs, feeding, exercise requirements, intelligence levels and potential health concerns, breed-related or otherwise.”

“Patience is key, especially when adopting a shelter animal. As they learn your routine and grow a bond, you will see the reward from your choice, the exponential love and happiness that they will give back to you, despite the hardships they may have faced,” they continued. 

We could have talked about Ruby and her siblings for hours. And it was easy to realize through every word that Keely and Alex are, as they put it, obsessed with their fur babies.  

Ruby’s living an amazing life full of love. She receives it and offers it back in the way she likes – by being everyone’s mother, babying the cats, cleaning them and protecting them. Hudson, too, when he allows it.  

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Just like Ruby, other furry friends across the province are looking for their loving home. And you can find out more about them on our adoption page.  

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.

Bandit’s Long Road to Love and Trust

August 20, 2025

By Joel Boyce

Meeting Bandit wasn’t exactly a warm welcome. 

In fact, the two-year-old Great Pyrenees Labrador mix made it clear he wasn’t rolling out the welcome mat for Josh Ford and Gina Crossman. 

But sometimes the best stories don’t start with tail wags and kisses. 

The couple from Greenwood, Nova Scotia had been searching for the right dog for a while, looking for one that “spoke” to them. When Josh saw Bandit’s photo on the Nova Scotia SPCA website last year, something clicked. He wasn’t just another dog up for adoption – there was something in his eyes that told Josh this was the one. 

Still, the Colchester Shelter staff were upfront. Bandit was incredibly shy, not a big people person, and would need time to trust. The first meeting didn’t go well. He barked, shook, and wouldn’t even let Josh make eye contact without growing anxious. Though instead of being discouraged, Josh felt even more certain. 

“The first words out of my mouth were, I don’t care how many visits this takes, I want to take him home,” he said. 

And so began a routine of long drives from the Valley to the Colchester Shelter – more than two hours each way – just to spend a little time with a dog who wasn’t sure he wanted their company. Between Josh and Gina, they logged almost a dozen visits, each one inching a little closer to Bandit’s trust. On visit number twelve, the breakthrough came. Bandit let them in – and that day, he was going to finally see his new home. 

The drive was a bit nerve-racking. Getting Bandit into the car took patience, and once they were on the road, he barked at nearly every passing vehicle. When they arrived home, he refused to go near the doorway, so Josh scooped up all 70 pounds of him and carried him inside. But once Bandit saw food, water, and a soft bed, his guard began to drop. Within a couple of days, he was exploring the house, looking for attention, and leaning on his new humans for comfort. 

“At the shelter, he was so nervous, and it took him a while to get comfortable with us. But at the house, those nerves went away, and he warmed up quickly,” Josh said. 

Within weeks, Bandit was unrecognizable from the dog they first met. He became more confident with strangers and even around other dogs. At Christmas, Josh and Gina had planned to skip visiting family in PEI – being the protective and concerned parents, they didn’t want to overwhelm him. But seeing his progress, they decided to try. The moment they arrived, Bandit walked right up to Josh’s parents and greeted them like old friends. 

“He is a completely different dog now,” Josh said. 

From that point on, everything shifted – walks became easier, encounters with people and dogs less stressful, and home turned into a place where he felt completely at ease.  

“This is his castle now,” Josh laughed. “We just live in it.” 

Bandit’s personality blossomed. He adores rope toys – though mostly to shred them – and has a special joy for liver treats. He’s picky about his meals, preferring a bit of wet food mixed in, and will give a look of pure disappointment if it’s missing. When they first adopted him, Bandit wore an anxiety sweater almost all the time. Now, he’s confident enough to go without it – a small but meaningful sign of how far he’s come.

One of Josh’s favourite moments came when Gina was reunited with Bandit after a long, extended time away from home. Worried he might have forgotten her, she was instead welcomed by a wagging tail, dancing happy feet, and a white furball galloping straight for her in pure joy. 

“It was definitely one of those cliché reunion moments,” Josh said. “It was adorable.” 

For Josh and Gina, Bandit is their first dog together, but they’ve both had dogs all their lives. This one was full of challenges, though. The journey to this point may have been a rollercoaster, full of nerves and patience, but Josh said he wouldn’t change anything. 

“He’s a dream dog for me, and I know for Gina as well,” Josh said. 

Someday, they might bring another dog into the castle, but for now, Bandit is king – and he’s living happily ever after. 

Joel Boyce

Joel Boyce is a Communications & Development Officer at the Nova Scotia SPCA. With a passion for storytelling and visual communication, Joel brings the mission of the SPCA to life through compelling narratives and creative content. Outside of work, Joel is a proud father of three beautiful girls and a playful border collie-golden retriever mix named Hazel.