April 30 is National Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet Day – a day to raise awareness about the tens of thousands of beautiful animals being cared for in animal care facilities across North America. To highlight this day, the BC SPCA is offering 50% off all adoption fees April 28-30 in all SPCA locations across B.C. Many locations are also hosting special activities for the public and offering extended hours throughout the weekend.
“Animals come into our care through no fault of their own,” says Adrienne McBride, the BC SPCA’s senior director for Community Animal Centres. “Sometimes guardians just aren’t able to care for their pets and they seek our help to find them a new home. In other cases, animals are seized from dangerous or neglectful situations.” The goal of the BC SPCA, says McBride, is to provide emergency treatment and a safe, loving environment for animals – either at an SPCA facility or in a foster home – until a new family can be found.
“Seeing an animal go home with their new guardian is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” says McBride. “Often animals come to us from less-than-ideal situations, where their needs were not being met. To see them go to a home where they will be cared for and cherished is such a wonderful feeling.”
McBride says countless studies have been done that highlight the many ways that pets can improve our mental and physical health. “We really saw during the pandemic how people turned to animals to help them cope with the social isolation that COVID brought,” she says. “Pets can be such a gift in our lives, and our goal is to match the animals in our care with the needs of the people who are looking to adopt. We believe that there is a perfect match out there for every animal.”
From horses to hamsters and everything in-between, the BC SPCA provided emergency shelter and care for nearly 16,000 animals last year. To view animals available for adoption, visit spca.bc.ca/adopt. Check your local BC SPCA for details on special adoption weekend activities in your community.