April 30, 2026As temperatures increase it’s important to remember that dogs are susceptible to illnesses and injuries related to warm weather, like dehydration and heat stroke. Some dogs are more vulnerable to the heat than others, including those with thick fur coats, flat-faces, are obese or elderly. Below are the types of dogs who need to be …
Continue reading “Hot weather hazards: Protecting vulnerable dogs from rising temperatures”
News Category: Pet care
April 30, 2026Every year, the BC SPCA responds to nearly 1,000 calls to rescue animals left in vehicles on hot days. While we know pet owners love their animals and would never intentionally endanger them, pets can quickly suffer from heatstroke and even death when left in a vehicle during warm weather. The good news is, preventing …
Continue reading “Easy ways to keep your pet cool at home”
News Category: Pet care
April 21, 2026National Pet ID Week, which runs annually from April 17 to 23, serves as a reminder to pet guardians of the importance of permanent identification and having it registered to a database like the BC Pet Registry. In 2025, more than 5,000 lost pets came through the doors of BC SPCA community animal centres. Unfortunately, approximately 85 per cent of the cats and 40 per …
Continue reading “Missing cat goes on 59-day journey, reunited with family thanks to up-to-date identification”
News Category: Pet care
April 10, 2026Cats are commonly believed to be low maintenance, independent pets. Provide them with food, water, a litter box and perhaps a scratching post and some toys, and they’ll amuse themselves, right? Not so fast! While they may not need long walks in the park, cats require interaction and stimulation — just like dogs do — …
Continue reading “Five tips for introducing a puzzle feeder to your cat”
News Category: Pet care
April 9, 2026In honour of National Pet Day on April 11, FIRST UNITED and the BC SPCA are calling on the provincial government to join them in improving conditions for tenants and their animal companions by fulfilling Premier David Eby’s promise to prohibit no-pet clauses in multi-rental unit housing. Both FIRST UNITED and the BC SPCA have witnessed the heartbreaking impacts of a lack of pet-friendly housing. …
Continue reading “BC charities ask Province to end pet bans in rentals for National Pet Day”
News Category: Community, Pet care, Take action
March 6, 2026Small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs love fresh greens to eat. Why not stretch that food budget a little further by growing your own, right at home? Fortunately, you don’t need a ton of space to get gardening — a balcony, a porch or even a windowsill will do. Herbs and dark, leafy …
Continue reading “Get growing! Your guide to gardening for small pets”
News Category: Pet care
March 6, 2026Dogs and peanut butter are almost as synonymous as peanut butter and jelly. It’s as if your dog has a sixth sense about the nutty spread. No sooner do you open the jar and your furry friend is there, waiting for a lick. A number of pet guardians give their dog a snack of peanut …
Continue reading “Get the scoop! Is peanut butter toxic for dogs?”
News Category: Pet care
February 6, 2026February is dog training education month! This month is dedicated to highlighting the importance of positive reinforcement training also known as reward-based training for you, your dog and your bond! To celebrate dog training education month, we reached out to Allison Painchaud, an AnimalKind accredited trainer, who shares her tips on training adult dogs. What …
Continue reading “Five tips to help teach “old” dogs new tricks”
News Category: Pet care
January 9, 2026The start of a New Year is the perfect time to take inventory on how you and your pet are enjoying life together and setting some new goals. Not only will your pet benefit but you will too. More exercise for your dog equals more exercise for you! Switch it up. Dogs love exploring new …
Continue reading “New Year’s Resolutions for Pets and their Pawrents!”
News Category: Pet care
December 19, 2025Tis the season to celebrate with loved ones, but our furry companions can’t always tell the difference between holiday items and hazards. The crunchy crinkle of tinsel feels and sounds similar to a cat toy, a mistake that landed one feline friend in emergency surgery. When the cat’s owner noticed she was behaving oddly — lethargic, refusing food, and convulsing — he quickly brought her to the vet. What was initially …
Continue reading “Holiday hazards 101: Six tips to keep your pet safe this winter”
News Category: Pet care