Author: Taylor Huestis

Policy for Rescuing Paws

April 16, 2024

By Sarah Lyon

Most of us watch the news, get informed, learn a fun tidbit to share, then turn it off until news breaks again. Researchers like Jane Allt and Angela Poirier watch the news and ask, “could things be better?”

This was one of the questions they asked after watching the wildfires in Tantallon and Shelburne last year. “We had questions and concerns over which agency was responsible for animal safety,” says Poirier. “It was the same question we had after the Fort MacMurray fire in 2016.”

Companion animal owners themselves, they both watched the confusion on the ground in Tantallon when the fires started, and their natural curiosity mixed with their professional background kicked in. Angela says they wanted to know if better coordination was needed and what could a lead organization look like?

Former Nova Scotia civil servants, Jane Allt retired as the Director of Strategic Support Services. Angela Poirier was a Senior Policy Analyst. Together they have just under 60 years of work experience in government. Today they own Civilly Speaking, a consulting company that works with organizations on research and policy initiatives. They have also authored a book, How Government Really Works which is described as a “field guide to bureaucracies in Canada.”

After the largest wildfire in the province’s history was finally out, Allt and Poirier started researching what was in place now and what was needed for future emergencies around companion animal safety.

Over the next few months, the authors reached out to meet with various government agencies across Canada, as well as citizens, and animal welfare agencies, including the Nova Scotia SPCA.

They also reviewed studies that warn of the consequences of the lack of planning for disaster animal response. “There will be more loss of pets, who are family members, mental health impacts, and ultimately there will be loss of life,” states Poirier. “Without an assigned agency, pet owners might risk their lives to get their pets, and first responders will need to rescue them, also risking their lives.”

The research they undertook was incorporated into a policy paper they shared with the Nova Scotia government. Among the options, in no particular order that government could consider include:
1. Nothing changes, status quo for future emergencies
2. Government assigns a lead agency
3. Government assigns the Nova Scotia SPCA as the lead agency

Both researchers proposed that the preferred option for companion animals and pet families is option three. “The Nova Scotia SPCA has a lot of credibility, and people have a lot of faith in the organization,” says Allt. Poirier chimes in that the “SPCA is already responsible for the Animal Protection Act under provincial legislation and works with the Department of Agriculture. Not to mention the resources, capacity, and experience.”

Allt and Poirier will speak at the upcoming Humane Canada Summit for Animals conference happening in Halifax May 5-7, discussing their policy paper. “It’s timely that the research just finished, and this conference is in our backyard,” says Poirier. “A lot of the research is about Nova Scotia, but we researched across Canada.”

Both agree that this is a critical issue with climate change, wildfires, hurricanes, and massive snowstorms, will happen again. “The notion of animal rescue is critical these days,” says Allt. “This is not a Nova Scotia-only problem. Our research findings and recommendations will help others.”

Click here to register today to attend the Summit for Animals to hear speakers like Jane Allt and Angela Poirier.

Sarah Lyon

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

Guiding Paws: The Heartwarming Journey of Blinkin and Obi

April 16, 2024

By Kirsten Millar

Everyone needs a little help from a friend sometimes – even cats! And one bonded pair of boys has shown us that a helping hand (or paw) can go a long way.

Blinkin and Obi are two sweet boys who were brought into the Yarmouth SPCA shelter together as strays. Blinkin is a cat with no eyes, and it was clear to staff that Obi (first called Marty) had been caring for Blinkin and acting as his ‘seeing eye cat’ while they were strays. “Obi even escaped his cage at the shelter once, but he waited for Blinkin,” says Angela MacAdam, the boys’ loving owner.

“When I saw a video of the boys on the Nova Scotia SPCA Facebook page, I was instantly sold – those were my boys. Blinkin, with his curious personality, and Obi, with those big sad eyes, were impossible not to fall in love with at first sight,” says Angela.

When Angela first welcomed Obi and Blinkin into their new home, the boys were timid. Obi was especially frightened to be in a new space, and while he often hid around the apartment, he always kept a clear line of sight on Blinkin. “If Blinkin went to the kitchen, so did Obi, just at a distance, maybe hiding behind something on the floor,” says Angela. “After some time and a lot of Ziggy’s precooked chicken, Obi came out of his shell and the pair would explore together, with Obi always keeping Blinkin in his sight. If I had to bathe Blinkin, Obi would wait by the bathroom door, even though he’s very afraid of the tub.”

Since then, Obi has gone from a timid cat to a cuddly boy who loves affection. Angela still remembers the first time he jumped onto the bed with them. “He was always hiding from us and used the nighttime to explore when we were sleeping, so when he decided to come and sit on the edge of our bed it was a special moment. Now you can’t get him off our laps. He’s done a 180 and become such a cuddle bug,” she says.

And thanks to the help of his best friend, Blinkin quickly adjusted to life in his new home and became more confident navigating the layout of the apartment. At first, Angela says that Obi stayed on standby to make sure Blinkin wasn’t getting into too much mischief. But now, Obi has passed off his role as Blinkin’s seeing eye cat to Angela.

“Sometimes I even catch Obi sitting on the table and reaching down to tap Blinkin and then retreating quietly to the middle of the table where Blinkin can’t find him,” she says. “Classic brothers!”

Since their adoption, Obi and Blinkin have filled Angela’s home with so much love and laughter. “Blinkin has a very funny thing he still does to this day where he gets ready to pounce on a toy, or on his brother, but he’s way off base on where his target is located. So, he’ll get all riled up doing a butt wiggle and run directly into the couch or just jump two inches to the left on absolutely nothing,” Angela laughs.

“People should give disabled animals a chance, because they have the same amount of love to give as non-disabled animals,” says Angela.

While Blinkin still faces challenges every day because of his special needs, Obi is there looking out for him (or teasing him). The boys have been blessed with a warm home, a loving family and a best friend for life.

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.

Making a Big Commitment Smaller

April 4, 2024

By Sarah Lyon

Terry Steeves was quite literally born an animal lover. “When my parents brought me home from the hospital, we lived on a farm, and a cat gave birth to kittens in my crib!” she laughs. From there, her home was always filled with dogs, cats, goldfish, and even a bearded dragon. But she quickly says, “Never has there been one, and never will there be, a snake. Sorry, but I can’t do it.”

Terry has been married to her husband David for 35 years and they have two daughters, in Pictou County. In 2004 she started working at Central Home Improvement for Steve Smith. She says there was no official partnership with the Nova Scotia SPCA, but everyone on staff loved and had animals, so it was their charity of choice and Terry became a dedicated fundraiser for it.

“We did a cupcake day, we put out collection jars for funds, we collected blankets and food,” she remembers. “We would take them to the Granton facility where I got to know the wonderful staff and volunteers, and saw what a sad state the building was in.” One Christmas she spoke to her five siblings and got them on board with forgoing their regular gift exchange and instead sponsoring a kennel.

So, when she heard that Northern Nova Scotia would be getting a new SPCA and that Steve Smith was involved, she got on the phone. “The minute I heard about it, I called him and said I’m in.” Terry would dive in with both feet.

She sat on the building committee and volunteered on special events like the theatre fundraiser in support of the SPCA which put on a production of The Hockey Monologues. She also made a personal financial gift to the North Nova SPCA.

“I was mulling over how to make a donation that reflected my excitement. That’s why I gave a major gift. What made it possible were two things: one, I pledged to fulfill the gift over five years. And two, I thought about how much monthly over the five years I would donate, and that amount is what I send in each month.” Terry encourages people to think about how much they could give when they look at giving over a few years. “It sounds like a big commitment until you look at it that way.”

Terry is looking forward to the grand opening. “The staff and volunteers are phenomenal; their current surroundings are not. So, I am so excited for them to get this new facility, just as much as I am for the animals.” She has been in the building with Steve Smith and contractor Bob Arbuckle recently and was impressed with the changes from the Granton location. “A lot of thought has gone into making it comfortable and safe for the animals during their stay. And I think having a thrift store to help sustain the operations is brilliant!”

On the day when the doors open, Terry admits that she will be crying tears of joy. “I will be happy, happy, happy. The space is a million times better than the old space I first walked into with donations in 2004. I’ll shop at the thrift store, tour, and try not to adopt another cat.”

She laughs and says, “But you never know, maybe I will, I’m a bit of a wild card like that.”

Sarah Lyon

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

A House Full of Kittens: The Affleck Family’s Five New Blessings

March 19, 2024

By Kirsten Millar

Life doesn’t always go as planned, but sometimes the unexpected can turn into the biggest blessing. This statement became true for Wendy and David Affleck when they made the decision to adopt a few new pets and ended up with five rambunctious kittens.

“We always had three cats, and our last one passed away in October at the age of 20,” says Wendy. “The house felt too quiet, and we began to look for two or three kittens or young adult cats to adopt.”

Their decision to find new furry family members led them to the SPCA’s website, where they stumbled upon the sweet faces of Buzz Bee, Bunty, and Felicia. They found themselves drawn to these kittens because they’re black just like two of their cats who had passed.

Wanting to meet the kittens, David and Wendy headed to the Pictou SPCA and that’s when they discovered that the cats had two more siblings. Buzz Bee had a brother named Toucan Sam, while Bunty and Felicia had a sister name Bridgette.

“We had to decide which litter of kittens to bring home because we knew we couldn’t separate them. But then we decided that we couldn’t decide and that’s how we ended up adopting all five of them,” says David. “My wife and I are both suckers for little furry faces and would not have been able to stomach the thought of leaving one set or the other behind.”

The cats were adopted in November 2023, and Wendy and David decided to keep all of their original names. Toucan Sam, affectionately known as Sam or Sammie, and his companions Buzz Bee, Bunty, Felicia and Bridgette found themselves in a new home filled with love and excitement.

“Since adopting them, life has been chaotic in a very good way. They make us laugh every day, their snuggles provide an unmatched calming effect and you never enter the house without an official five cat greeting,” says Wendy.

The ‘five little Muppets,’ as David and Wendy affectionately call them, have all developed their own unique personalities.

“We call Bunty the ‘Devil Child’ because she gets into absolutely everything even though she’s the smallest of the bunch. Bridgette is fiercely independent. Felicia loves to wrap her big, little paws around our leg when we’re preparing their meals and then bite our legs. Buzz Bee loves to come running and smash her face into ours and then flop over for snuggles just like a rag doll cat. And Sam loves to jump up for a minute to see what’s going on in the house, and we always know where he is because he meows everywhere he goes,” says David.

Since welcoming these five new kitties into their hearts and into their home, Wendy and David’s lives have been filled with laughter, cuddles and happiness.

“They get along well and all seven of us sleep in the bed every night. They love to be wherever we are all the time and you’re never alone in a room. They all eat together from a big white plate they got from Santa for Christmas and they have over 60 toys scattered around the house, yet they all want to play with the same toy at the same time,” Wendy says.

David and Wendy both agree that they could not imagine life without their five new family members. If you’re interested in adopting a new companion (or five), check out our current adoptable animals or visit an SPCA shelter near you.

 

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.

A Special Dog Helps Us Redefine Success

March 19, 2024

By Judy Layne

Sometimes, we are helped along life’s path by those we have never met, but who have inspired us nonetheless. They teach us that success isn’t about money or material things, but rather, about making a positive impact on the world, about creating a greater good. They also teach us that success isn’t a destination, but rather, a journey. And if you love what you’re doing on that journey, you are already successful. This is the story of a special dog, her family and the veterinary student they inspired.

For 12 years, Bodj – a beautiful German Shepherd – shared her unconditional love and loyalty with her family. When Bodj’s dad Sir Paul was diagnosed with ALS, she went above and beyond to comfort him. Bodj actually saved her dad’s life on four documented occasions! Bodj loved the important role she played as a service dog, and her commitment and talent made her successful in her own right.

When Bodj passed away, the family was devastated. They looked for a meaningful way to honor her caring spirit and intelligence yet be of practical use. Through the SPCA, they created the Bodj von Grunfeld® scholarship to help those pursuing higher education in the field of animal welfare. Each year, a deserving student is awarded $500 towards their education.

After receiving many amazing applications, Katherine Ball was selected as the 2023 recipient of Bodj’s scholarship. Katherine is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), UPEI.

Katherine has always loved animals. She shares “I grew up in a household with several pets which I believe turned our house into a home. They brought much love and joy into my life. After high school, I began volunteering at several animal hospitals where I got to experience caring for animals in a more medical sense. It was then that I learned how much I enjoy veterinary medicine and wanted to gain the skills and knowledge to keep animals healthy and to help them when they are ill.”

Katherine’s path to veterinary school wasn’t necessarily straight; however, it was the opportunity she always dreamt of. She relates “I was torn between my two passions, science and psychology, and with the competitiveness of the AVC program, I kept my options open and majored in both subjects. I ultimately wanted to be accepted into AVC, but knew I also needed a ‘Plan B’ to fall back on, preparing myself for the windiest path possible. I filled out applications for AVC and nursing, volunteered again in animal hospitals and the mental health field, and researched Psychology Masters programs. It wasn’t until my first year in the AVC program that I discovered my integration of science and psychology provides me with a unique perspective on blending compassion and my understanding of animal behavior with medical care. I plan to build on this integration throughout my education and apply it to my practice in the future, as it will benefit my interactions with patients, clients, producers, and farmers”.

“I am honored and grateful to Bodj’s family for choosing me as the recipient of an award that means so much to them,” says Katherine. “Bodj’s story touched my heart and made me feel fortunate to be in the veterinary program. I don’t know what could be cooler than working with species that can’t speak and don’t have opposable thumbs, but somehow can attempt to perform CPR on their human parent just as Bodj did!”

“Bodj’s scholarship also came at the most amazing time,” exclaims Katherine. “I was getting ready for second year to begin and was feeling stressed due to its notoriously demanding reputation. Getting the award was a timely reminder of what I am capable of and the impact I can hopefully have on others leading up to and as a veterinarian.”

The scholarship has also helped Katherine financially. She says “This is my 6th year of post-secondary education on my own dime and with loans. Vet school is expensive, so I am thankful to Bodj’s family for helping me to pursue something I truly love.”

Katherine shares “My love of animals and compassion for families like Bodj’s, inspires me to pay it forward throughout my career – whether this is through teaching, mentoring, volunteering, or taking part in projects that lighten the financial load for families with ill animals. Teaching is one of the most beneficial ways I will be able to pay it forward, as I can hopefully pass along knowledge and skills to as many people as possible to have the greatest impact on the health of our animals.”

Katherine encourages others to pursue a career in animal welfare, particularly in these times when we are facing a shortage of veterinarians across the country. “It is so important that we treat animals in the most ethical and humane way possible,” she says. “If you are interested in making an impactful change for the betterment of veterinary medicine and the care of animals, join the profession!”

Katherine also encourages anyone to apply for the 2024 scholarship. She says “It allows Bodj’s story to live on, prompts students to reflect on what they have done to contribute to animal welfare and how they can become more involved, and helps to lighten the financial burden that most of us students share.”

The 2024 scholarship application window opens today and the deadline for applying is June 30th, 2024.  To find out more about the Bodj von Grunfeld® Scholarship or to apply for this amazing opportunity, click here.

Bodj’s legacy reaches beyond the scholarship in her name. Inspired by Bodj’s spirit of caring and compassion, the family adopted 4-year old Sia, a sweet German Shepherd who had been abused. They bestowed Sia with love, respect and trust, and with the help of an experienced trainer, took on the challenge of rehabilitating and training her. After just 2 years, Sia is a fully accredited Service and Protection dog! It would appear that Bodj has passed the torch to an admirable successor.

If your pet left paw prints on your heart and you would like to explore the establishment of a scholarship in their memory, please reach out to the Nova Scotia SPCA for help.

 

The career options are endless in veterinary medicine, so you will always be able to find something you are passionate about and have the option to change career paths if you want to learn something new. Check them out here or click here to learn more and apply for Veterinary Assistant Program with the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare.

To read more about Katherine’s journey, click here.

 

Judy Layne

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

Making it Monthly to Help Others When Times are Tough

March 19, 2024

By Sarah Lyon

When he picks up the phone for our interview, Chris Steeves is already emotional. He had just finished watching a video of celebrity Jon Stewart talking about the passing of his dog. “What he was saying was very real for me,” says Chris. “He talked about the love he had for his dog, and I connected thinking about my love for my furry creatures.”

Chris grew up with many pets. As a child, his house had cats, gerbils, hamsters and fish. But never a dog. His mother Patti was afraid of them, and so Chris also became scared of them.

“I consider my first pet to be the one that I got as an adult,” says Steeves. “And that happened 15 years ago after I bought my house.” One day Chris looked out to his backyard and saw the two cats that lived next door, only the residents had moved out and left the cats behind. “I tried to get a hold of them to let them know the cats were still here, but they didn’t want them.” It was clear to Chris that the cats were abandoned.

Chris called the SPCA and asked for help. Due to the busy summer season, the Dartmouth shelter needed to triage pets to prioritize sick and injured animals. “They gave me lots of ideas on how to help them, keep them safe,” says Chris. Soon, the SPCA took them in, gave them a clean bill of health, and called Chris to tell him that after one of them required neutering, they were both good to go home. “I had no intention of adopting two cats, but at that point, there was a bond, and the SPCA had been so helpful, that I went paid my adoption fees and picked them up.”

Katara sits on Chris’ desk during the interview, having been stuck like glue to him since he brought her home. Toph, the other adopted cat sadly passed away the year after he adopted them. Worried that Katara would feel lonely, Chris immediately went back to the SPCA to adopt another companion for Katara. A new kitten, Kira.

Chris and the cats became a blended family when he started dating his now fiancé, Cher. “She was the first to introduce me to the love of a dog.” Maya, a German shepherd-rottweiler mix, moved in and became Chris’ first dog. “She was so gentle with these two spoiled cats!”

Maya would soon become the first dog in the Steeves family. She was welcomed at gatherings and into his parents’ home. “She broke the stigma we had around dogs. Once my mom met her, she changed the way she viewed dogs.”

Unfortunately, Maya was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2022. Then, six months later, Chris’ mom Patti would also lose her battle with cancer. “As you can imagine, our house was blue, that’s the best way I can describe it.” Cher, knowing how animals can help comfort, brought a new puppy into the house, Maybelline. “Bringing the puppy into the house lifted the cloud over us a little, and it’s hard not to when you have this companion who is giving you love.”

That companionship and comfort is what led Chris to become a monthly donor to the Nova Scotia SPCA. “The reason I give monthly is because I truly did not know just how important the companionship of an animal was, until I went through an extremely hard time. I give back because I hope that my gift will help someone else experience the joy of having an animal. I’m pretty happy about that.”

Chris calls Katara, Kira, and Maybelline his co-workers. Working from home, they seemed to have set up a routine around dad’s work. Walks in the morning, naps during work calls. Chris says that besides learning the love of a dog, he really didn’t understand how much activity having a dog would entail.

“It’s been great for my mental health, getting out every day to walk Maybelline and Kira.” Yep, when Kira started to realize that the dog got to go for walks, she wanted to go too. Now, as Maybelline gets her leash hooked on her collar, Kira pounces into the bubble backpack with air holes, and goes for a few laps around the neighbourhood.

Chris is now trying to convince his dad to come to the SPCA and adopt a dog, especially since his sister has also adopted one, turning the Steeves into a dog-friendly family. “It’s pretty obvious the impact a dog has had on our lives since my mom passed away, and I think more people could use that unconditional support, during good times and bad.”

 

For the entire month of March, our friends at CanadaHelps will add on an extra $20 donation for every new monthly gift of $20 or more when you sign up here: www.novascotiaspca.ca/pawprogram 

Some animals take months recovering in our care. You will provide loyal support that pets can count on.

 

Sarah Lyon

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