February 1, 2024February is heart month – a reminder to everyone to think about cardiovascular health and that includes our pets! Heart disease for dogs can be a serious health issue. One in ten dogs has heart disease and that increases to one in six for older dogs. Knowledge of the five common signs of heart disease …
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News Category: Pet care
January 5, 2024It’s common for older pets to get overlooked at shelters with kittens and puppies also hoping for their forever homes. Cats and dogs are considered “senior” or “mature” at around the age of seven. “Often what we’ll see in the shelters is these young little puppies and kittens coming in, and everybody runs to them,” …
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News Category: Adoption, Pet care
January 4, 2024It’s no secret that pets love treats and many are happy to lounge around at home. A chonky cat or dog may look cute, but when pets start to pack on the pounds, it’s cause for concern. Veterinarians are seeing an increasing number of overweight or obese pets. The Association for Pet Obesity estimates that …
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News Category: Pet care
January 4, 2024Dogs 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
December 21, 2023Sometimes, amidst all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be easy to overlook our pets — especially the little ones! Here are some creative stocking stuffers that are bound to be a hit with the small animal in your life. 1. Snuffle mat Have you heard? Snuffle mats aren’t just for …
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News Category: Pet care
December 13, 2023Make wonderful memories with your pet this holiday season, that will last a lifetime. Here are five creative ideas to help pets and their people enjoy this special season together. 1. Throw a dog-friendly holiday party Have an appropriate venue: start the party with a walk or have space for pets to burn off excess …
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News Category: Pet care
December 8, 2023Update: In November 2023, veterinarians across the province voted overwhelmingly in favour of including the ban on feline declawing in the bylaws that govern their work. Previously, declawing had only been banned as a standard of practice. Being written into the bylaws ensures a stronger and more lasting change. The ban on feline declawing joins …
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News Category: Animal cruelty, Pet care
December 7, 2023In April 2022, with the help of thousands of our supporters, the BC SPCA called on the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia (CVBC) to enact a bylaw ban on canine devocalization. On November 13, 2023, veterinarians across the province voted overwhelmingly in favour of a debarking ban. This means that effective immediately, dogs in …
Continue reading “Important update: BC SPCA calls for ban on dog debarking”
News Category: Pet care, Take action
December 6, 2023If staying inside during cold and wet winter days gives you cabin fever, your dog may feel the same. “Physical and mental stimulation are important for dogs, particularly for certain breeds,” says Dr. Hannah Weitzenfeld, senior manager of animal health for the BC SPCA. “But even if you can’t get outdoors as often as you’re …
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News Category: Pet care
November 21, 2023By the time he was first surrendered into BC SPCA care, 5-year-old Layne was troubled. Although friendly with other cats, he had lived confined in a room for most of his life with minimal socialization with people. As a result, he was fearful of people and couldn’t fully trust them, including the staff and volunteers …
Continue reading “Cat gets a second chance thanks to AnimalKind trainer”
News Category: Animal Stories, Pet care