Author: Taylor Huestis

Homeless Kitty Rescued after Hurricane

July 22, 2021

By Taylor Mundy

In September 2020, Nova Scotia was hit with a powerful storm – Hurricane Teddy. With forecast warnings of strong winds and heavy rain, schools were closed and public transit was suspended. It was recommended to stay away from the coast and bunker down for safety.

But that is impossible for a homeless baby kitten.

Angus, a kitty weighing a little over 1 pound, was found alone on the road the next day. He was cold to touch, unable to stand, and cried when he was picked up. Angus needed emergency care… and fast.

“Staff weren’t sure he would survive the night,” shared Bryanna, a dedicated staff and foster for the Kings SPCA. “Angus’s temperature was extremely low, causing his body to start shutting down, basically unresponsive.”

Angus was rushed to the vet where he received lifesaving medicine and a personalized plan that included constant contact with heat packs to hopefully bring his temperature up.

“Naturally a staff member had to take home for the night,” Bryanna explained. “He was burrito-ed in a towel, with his heat packs, covered with an electric blanket. Around 8pm that night I checked in on him and he was starting to get more responsive. At 10pm check-in he busted out and devoured an entire can of wet food AND came over for snuggles!”

Things were looking promising but Angus wasn’t out of the woods yet. “The next morning we started fluids twice a day, temperature checks twice a day, and supplemental feedings as after his initial feast we had some issues eating regularly,” said Bryanna.

And that’s not all… Angus was covered in fleas and filled with worms. He received treatment to help his belly feel better and started to show off his adorable personality. Once he was medically cleared Angus was even able to spend some quality time with his foster brothers (Remember Ronald and Melvin who were both Paw Print feature pets themselves?)

“Angus was one of my favorite fosters from the last 3 years!” Bryanna smiled. “It’s always hard for staff when we take home critical care kittens like Angus because you usually have to prepare yourself for the worse. Honestly, we didn’t think Angus would make the night based on his condition on intake. So that night when we bolted from the kennel was a good feeling. We ended up snuggling for a few hours and watched movies.”

After a month of care, Angus was ready for adoption. He put his painful past behind him and found a new family where he was given a brand-new name.

“I changed his name to Loki and he is such a cutie,” Tammy, his fur-mama, shared. “He is timid with strangers but fearless with his brother, Onyx, and sister, Bella. I was super shy as a child so he reminds me of myself sometimes.”

“Loki has lots of love to give when he’s not too busy playing,” continued Tammy. “He loves lounging on the 10’ x 12’ enclosed Catio. He even naps out there, tucked under the plants.”

This kitty went from having no name, family, or home, to having two cute names, a caring foster mama, and a forever family. Now, he can look out at any future scary storms from safe, loving arms.

Feeling inspired? Learn more about how to get involved and help by clicking here.

Taylor Mundy

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie and Clyde. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need.

Your Pet’s Health, Our Hospital’s Passion

July 21, 2021

By Judy Layne

Healing hands. Bright minds. Warm hearts. Paws-itively great care. You and your pet can find it all at the Nova Scotia SPCA’s new Veterinary Hospital! Did you know that the SPCA Veterinary Hospital is open to ALL Nova Scotians? Yep. This full-service not-for-profit hospital is designed to make veterinary services accessible for EVERYONE in the province.

With more than 45 years of combined veterinary knowledge and a passion for animals, your pet will receive the highest quality care.  Located at 7 Scarfe Court in Dartmouth, the new hospital strives to make your pet’s visit comfortable and stress-free.

The SPCA Veterinary Hospital can help keep more pets and their loving families together. By trusting the SPCA Veterinary Hospital with your pet’s medical care, you’ll feel good knowing you are saving and improving the lives of more animals than ever before.

Over the last few years, and particularly amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that has caused financial strife for so many Nova Scotians, the SPCA has seen animals surrendered for medical reasons. The SPCA believes that no family should have to make the heart-breaking decision to surrender a pet they love because they can’t afford critical veterinary care. Thanks to a separate gift of $10,000, the Sunshine Fund, sponsored by Queenidog, was created to help pet owners in financial crisis with their urgent veterinary needs. But because the Fund has limited dollars, the SPCA depends on donations to the Fund and on dedicated clients utilizing the Hospital’s services.

Dixie, a 4-month-old German Shepherd is among pets recently helped by the Sunshine Fund. She was suffering from fractured toes on her right paw. Dixie’s mom Kassie shares “I came home from work and noticed that Dixie was limping. Her paw was swollen and I knew she was in pain. She needed help, but I couldn’t afford this unexpected expense. I would have had to use my rent money and fall behind in my rent. I was so worried; I cried. Then my friend told me about the SPCA Hospital and the Sunshine Fund. I emailed the Hospital and heard back immediately. They took Dixie in the same day. Our visit was great.  All the staff were very nice and they treated Dixie so well. When Dixie was ready to go home, the instructions they gave me were easy to understand and follow.”

“I was so happy and relieved the SPCA Hospital was there to help me and to make sure Dixie had the medical care that she needed,” says Kassie. Dixie left the Hospital with a pretty heart splint and will be back in a few weeks for a re-check. Meantime, Kassie reports that Dixie’s doing great. “She loves to lay on her back and let the kids pat her stomach and give her kisses. Right now, she’s snuggling with our other dog Lexi, Dixie’s best friend and protector.”

So, trust YOUR pet’s care to the leader in animal welfare in Atlantic Canada. Book your appointment by contacting the SPCA Veterinary Hospital by email: vet@spcans.ca or by phone: 902-706-4155. The SPCA looks forward to providing your pet with the care they need to be a healthy and happy part of your family!  Remember that the Hospital is open to EVERYONE.

Because the Sunshine Fund has limited dollars, the SPCA is seeking donations to the Fund to grow their ability to help loving families in need.  Please click here to help. Thank you for your compassionate support!

If you need help, please contact the SPCA Veterinary Hospital to discuss a solution that works for you and your pet.

As a charitable organization, we take pride in making all our services accessible through our partnership with PetSmart Charities® of Canada.

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Gracie. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

A Fabulous Fix-Up for our Feral Feline Friends

July 21, 2021

By Judy Layne

It started 5 years ago with a vision and a 1.25 acre piece of forest land behind the Kings SPCA’s Animal Shelter. Through generous donations from businesses and individuals in the community, the shelter was able to install fencing to enclose the entire area. Amazing volunteers then pitched in to build cat shelters, each with their own feline-themed names like Hotel Casablancat and the Meow Inn.

The result? A Sanctuary for semi-feral and feral cats that have nowhere else to go and a transitional space for evaluating cats for other SPCA programs, such as the Barn Cat Program.

I spoke with Melissa Lee, one of the great staff members at the Kings SPCA. Melissa was involved in the project from the get-go. She shares “I had been doing TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and helping feral cats for many years, so I was very interested in becoming involved with the Sanctuary. My role was to contact and coordinate individuals for tasks required to make the Sanctuary a reality. It’s been a 5-year labor of love to get the Sanctuary to what it looks like today.”

Cats come to the Sanctuary for various reasons. Melissa explains “Every situation is unique. Often, it’s for medical conditions, physical limitations or behavioral problems. Sometimes, caring citizens bring cats to the shelter, wanting to help the cats, but not knowing if they are feral or semi-feral. We use the Sanctuary as a place for assessing these cats. If the cats can become better feline citizens, they are either placed in a barn home through the SPCA’s Barn Cat Program or in a few cases, are placed for adoption.”

There are currently 15 cats in the Sanctuary. “Our newest resident Sylvester is a tuxedo kitty that has lived a hard life outside,” relates Melissa. “He was taken in by another local rescue, Safe Haven. They had him for several months while treating his battered body. He did not come around to be friendly and therefore was not adoptable. He could not be returned safely outside because he had an old leg injury that has caused permanent damage to his ligaments. He also required significant dental work. Safe Haven asked the SPCA for assistance and Sylvester was approved to live out his days in the safety of the Sanctuary.”

The Sanctuary has 3 inside rooms where new arrivals first reside. Melissa shares “The inside rooms have their own acclimatization enclosure on the outside so cats can get used to the sights, sounds and smells of their new accommodations, and can safely meet other cats in the Sanctuary through the fence. Cats stay in this transitional space for about a week on average before accessing the balance of the Sanctuary.  Prior to becoming Sanctuary residents, cats are vaccinated, treated for parasites and spayed/neutered.”

The Sanctuary has natural places for shelter, play and exercise. It also has 10 insulated man-made huts for sleeping and eating, along with a “Baby Barn.” A heater is available to be turned on during cold weather for the inside rooms.

Staff members play a critical role in the cats’ health and welfare. They supply the cats with fresh water and food, clean litter boxes and keep things tidy. When the snow gets too deep, they shovel trails for the cats. They also observe the cats for any illness or injury and assess any cats that are at the Sanctuary for behavioral reasons.

Melissa shares “This summer, we undertook to beautify the Sanctuary. With normal wear and tear, the cat huts definitely needed some TLC. Kevin Foucault, one of our most dedicated volunteers, made needed repairs to the huts’ structures and gave them all a new paint job. He generously donated many hours doing this and it’s now a much brighter, peaceful and loving space thanks to his thoughtfulness.”

“Working at the Sanctuary is very rewarding,” relates Melissa. “It provides a place for some cats that would have nowhere else to go. They are in a setting that is safe and comfortable and they are well fed – some a little too well fed!” she chuckles. “Many of us who work at the Shelter become very attached to some of our feral residents. Once they start to trust their caretaker, you get to see their true personalities begin to emerge. Of course, cats in the Sanctuary do pass away and it hurts our hearts when we lose one of our feral friends. You develop relationships with a lot of the cats over time. We know every cat’s name. We notice when a cat hasn’t been around or isn’t acting normally. Just because we can’t pick them up and cuddle them, doesn’t mean we don’t love them.”

Unaltered cats fight, spray, dig in garbage and produce countless litters of kittens that add to the cat overpopulation problem. Thanks to progressive initiatives like TNR, the Barn Cat program and evaluation done at the Sanctuary, the SPCA and its dedicated volunteers are helping to make the world a better place for feral cats, people and the community.

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Gracie. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

From Abandoned to Adored: Henry’s Story

June 17, 2021

By Judy Layne

He had no name, so the Cape Breton SPCA shelter staff named him Henry.  When he arrived on April 26, 2019 Henry was shivering and severely emaciated, weighing less than 3 pounds.  He suffered from diarrhea and had to be placed on a careful re-feeding schedule.  The fur on his face and entire body was extremely matted and full of debris.  Since the matts went down to his skin, Henry had to be sedated while he was shaved.  He needed to be neutered but had to gain weight prior to undergoing surgery.  So the next step in Henry’s journey was to stay with a foster family for several weeks where he could gain needed weight and receive lots of care, love and socialization.

Enter Derrick and Rosemary MacNamara.  The couple’s beloved Yorkie Pebbles had passed away 6 months ago.  They decided it was time to open their hearts to another deserving dog.  Derrick explained “Our home was so quiet after Pebble’s passing. We missed the joy of having a pet, so headed to the SPCA to find a new family member.” When they met Henry, it was game over. “He had such a sweet face and was so frail and scared that he melted our hearts,” related Derrick.

“We understood that we couldn’t officially adopt Henry until his weight was restored and he was neutered, so we signed on to be his foster parents,” said Derrick. “We were over the moon to think that this little dog was coming home with us.  Henry snuggled into my wife’s arms and settled in for.  That continued to be his favorite place to be!”

Henry gained weight quickly in his nurturing environment.  Derrick stated, “I took him in to the SPCA veterinary hospital every week for a weigh-in and within a few weeks, Henry was ready for his surgery.”  Once he was medically cleared, the couple officially adopted Henry on June 6, 2019. “We knew from the get-go that this little fellow was meant to be ours,” Rosemary shared.

Since being adopted, the transformation in Henry has been amazing.  Rosemary explained “For the first 2 to 3 months, Henry was very timid and constantly wanted to be held close.  People thought we must have adopted a cat since he never barked.  But Henry eventually found his voice and knows how to use it!” she chuckled.  “Everyone who meets Henry falls in love with his personality. He is very affectionate and especially loves to cuddle with our four grandchildren.”

“Henry has filled our home with joy and laughter once again,” shared Derrick.  “He loves to run as fast as he can while you pretend to chase him.  His ears are always tuned-in when you pick up your car keys – he is coming along for a ride like it or not!  And don’t leave your pizza unattended – it’s Henry’s favorite.”  And Henry’s favorite pastime?  “Sleeping, curled up on the chair that no one else is allowed to sit on now!” laughs Derrick.

The couple’s final thoughts?  “We recently celebrated the second anniversary of Henry’s ‘Gotcha’ Day,’ which would never have been possible without the SPCA.  They nursed him back to health, and gave him the love, care and attention he so desperately needed after he was abandoned. We are so happy that Henry is part of our family and so thankful for all the hard work that the SPCA does.’

Luckily, Henry’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 difficult emotionally 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 and proud adoptive fur-mama to Gracie. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Magical Fairy Tail

June 17, 2021

By Sarah MacDonald-Miles

Sarah, 17, is a CO-OP Student at Lockview High School. She wrote this magical fairy-tail of her adoption and fundraising journey. Enjoy!

Once upon a time in a land before COVID-19… a puppy was born. Not just an ordinary puppy but a puppy whose mother was a stray and had no home. The good people at the SPCA took her and her four sweet siblings in. One single photograph was all it took. She looked directly into the eyes and hearts of a special family who was waiting for a pup just like her.

This family has dedicated their lives to helping others in their community, for they believed everyone should have the opportunity to feel love and happiness. Links of Love was founded by the young daughter of the family, she had a great desire to help and encourage others in her community to be kind and help each other. She championed for those who could not speak for themselves. 

She loved all animals but especially dogs. Her desperate wish was to adopt a dog from the good people at the SPCA. Every birthday she would blow out her candles and wish for a puppy, but year after year her wish didn’t come true. She kept on helping the people in her community and she became happy and was an inspiration to so many others. She became the community volunteer of the year and continued to spread kindness.

So she thought “maybe I will just ask for a puppy instead of wishing for one?” Her parents agreed but first she had to pass a test. This test would prove she has a good heart because it takes a good heart to adopt an animal. The test was one of patience and perseverance and commitment to help others. the daughter agreed to the test, the test was to sell $10,000 of her Links of Love bracelets and help by donating her time and proceeds to advocate for those who can’t, including the good people at the SPCA.

She thought the quest would be impossible and she would never get a puppy, but the young daughter set to work volunteering her time, lending her support, being an advocate for so many. She was even awarded Medals of Distinction in her community and although the young daughter was happy she still wished for a puppy.

Then one day something magical happened. The family went in to look at adoptable dogs and were shown a photo of the beautiful little pup named Chai. Once the young girl saw the picture she knew that was her pup. The one she worked so hard for, the reward of helping others to achieve her end goal of adopting a puppy from the SPCA. Her wish finally came true.

They knew she was a special puppy because she was born in a land where her mother was born AND she was also born on her mother’s birthday. A very special puppy indeed. She was meant to be for this family. Chai said goodbye to the good people at the SPCA, to go live with the special Links of Love family who was waiting for a pup just like her.

They named her Charlie, like Charlie’s Angels. The quest the young girl was given was successfully achieved. The young girl wanted everyone to know something by Henry David Thoreau “What you get by achieving your goal is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”

 The End. 

Sarah MacDonald-Miles

Sarah, 17, is a CO-OP Student at Lockview High School who loves her three dogs: Pinky, Charlie and Maggie. She is one of the founders of Links of Love, a local bracelet social enterprise making a difference one link at a time.

Tiny Tootsies, Huge Spirit

June 17, 2021

By Judy Layne

Bravery comes in all shapes and sizes. Take little Tinker for example. A pint-sized ball of feline fur, he has courageously faced some tough challenges that life has thrown at him. Here’s his story.

On February 27th, 11 year old Tinker was brought to the Dartmouth SPCA. Sadly, his owner had passed away. Family members wanted to ensure that he could find a loving forever home and they trusted the SPCA to find a special home for this special boy.

It’s hard on any pet when their owner passes away. Animals can’t comprehend death; all they know is that the person that loved them is no longer there. It’s particularly hard on older animals like Tinker who have been with someone who loved and cared for them for many years. Their world is now turned upside-down. As they do with every animal that crosses the SPCA’s doorstep, staff and volunteers worked diligently to help Tinker adjust to his new surroundings and to shower him with love.

Tinker learned early to cope with challenges and make the most of any situation. As you can see from his photos, he was born with physical deformities in his two front legs. This has caused ongoing pain including spondylosis and hip dysplasia. Because of these ongoing but manageable health concerns, Tinker will be on pain medication for the rest of his life to keep him comfortable and happy.

Because of Tinker’s disability and age, he was placed in the SPCA’s Palliative Care Program. The program is designed to ensure that senior pets and those with compromised health like Tinker get to live out the rest of their days in a forever foster home filled with love and care. The SPCA covers all medical expenses (through the shelter’s in-house veterinary hospital) and foster families provide a life filled with lots of love. The program is a proud reflection of the SPCA’s No-Kill policy.

The SPCA makes every effort to place special needs pets with their perfect human match. In Tinker’s case, this meant finding a home with no children or other pets so he wouldn’t feel overwhelmed. On April 29th, Tinker was scooped up by the perfect family! Chelsea Uhlman and her partner Josh John were on the SPCA website and spotted Tinker. “We had just moved into a new apartment and we knew in the coming months we would be getting a pet; we just didn’t know how soon!” Chelsea chuckles.

“I previously had a special needs rabbit and his disabilities drew our hearts close together,” says Chelsea. “I’ve always had had a soft spot for special needs animals since then, so on seeing Tinker, I knew we were a perfect match. I recognize that often, it is hard for special needs pets to find homes especially if they need ongoing medication like Tinker does. Luckily for us, I’m a student and plan to be for many years to come. This means that I won’t be moving around any time soon or going away on any long vacations! The financial aspect of the Palliative Care Program also helps greatly and allows a family to bring a deserving pet into their home without worrying about medical expenses.”

Chelsea recalls meeting Tinker in-person. “When I first saw Tinker, he immediately jumped up on the chair next to me and laid on my lap. He was the cutest thing ever and I knew I just had to take him home with us. I didn’t realize that he had no tail. This was a surprise, but I loved him even more just because I knew he was different.” Josh relates “I think he actually enjoyed the drive to his new home. He liked looking around at everything and didn’t seem nervous, he just seemed curious! When we finally got home, he looked around and found his food. He just fit right in; there was never a moment when he felt out-of-place.”

Tinker is thriving in his new home and his legs definitely don’t slow him down. Josh explains “Tinker gets the zoomies just like any other cat and as long as he has a carpet to grip, he’s a speed demon. He also goes crazy with toys. He loves to sleep with us, so to ensure he doesn’t hurt his little legs, we keep a pillow on the floor next to the bed for him to jump onto. In the future, this will become more difficult for him, so we’ll look into getting steps for him to get on and off the bed.”

“He loves to be around us and follows us everywhere, just waiting for a chance to cuddle,” says Chelsea. “He has started standing up on his back legs in front of us to get us to pick him up. But I think his favorite thing to do is non-stop meowing while I am in the shower!”

The couple agree that Tinker has enriched their lives. “Tinker has brought love, laughter and inspiration to our home and we can’t imagine life without him now.” They encourage others to open their hearts and homes to a palliative care or special needs pet. “It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do.”

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Gracie. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.