January 5, 1931 – December 22, 2023
Harvelyn always had an affinity for animals from her childhood and throughout her long and vibrant life. Cats and dogs were part of the family. She believed her daughters would benefit from the love and care of a pet and she was very attuned to the well being and nature of animals both domestic and in the wild.
The McInnis family of Winnipeg first welcomed Suki, a chocolate point Siamese kitten who lived for 18 years. She was followed by Panda, a black and white cat along with Carly, a cantankerous Labrador crossbreed from Lake of the Woods, Ontario. When Harvelyn and her husband Fraser moved to Victoria, Panda and Carly made the trip as well and enjoyed the wonderful weather and interesting walks with them in their senior years. Never without an animal to dote on, now a widow, Harvelyn acquired Abby, a gentle Persian pussy. No sooner had she picked up Abby than she spotted a kitten in trouble on the side of the road and took Theo under her wing as well. Both cats lived long and happy lives in her care.
Harvelyn was compassionately dedicated to supporting the BCSPCA in its mission to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia.